The coronavirus outbreak has caused alarm globally. Leading campaigners are advising governments to act with the same urgency on climate, as evidence shows that the current health crisis is reducing carbon emissions more than any policy.

A study by Carbon Brief reveals that the actions taken by authorities in China, the world’s largest carbon emitter, have shown that 25% carbon dioxide cuts result in less traffic, cleaner air and only a small decrease in economic growth.

If this continues on a global scale, this could lead to the first fall in global carbon dioxide emissions since the financial crisis in 2008-2009.

People are increasingly staying at home more, limiting their travel (including air travel), and many factories and other businesses have been closed. Many international and local conferences have been cancelled too, which results in massive carbon dioxide emission cuts due to cancellation of flights that will no longer be taken by international delegates.

Many events are moving to a virtual format, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the environment due to carbon and economic savings, and could ultimately mean that this format becomes the norm in coming years.

The question here is, are these changes temporary? Analysts say it is too early to know if coronavirus will push global CO2 emissions onto the downward path.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/10/coronavirus-could-cause-fall-in-global-co2-emissions