According to the article, the policies implemented by governments to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have a great impact on global energy demand. As a large number of people in the world are required to stay at home, international borders are closed, and consumption rates and transportation rates are correspondingly reduced. However, the lack of real-time global emission data makes it more difficult to quantify this impact.
The researchers found that as of April 2020, the daily carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 17% compared with 20 19 years, and the average daily emissions of each country decreased by 26%. The emissions of ground transportation and aviation decreased by 36% and 60% respectively. Ground transportation, energy and industry account for 86% of the total emission reduction.
Extended data
Researchers predict the impact of the decline in daily carbon dioxide emissions on total emissions in 2020:
Kline La Quirrell, a researcher at the School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK, and his colleagues reanalyzed the comprehensive data of energy and policies as of April 2020, and estimated the changes of daily carbon dioxide emissions compared with 20 19.
The research team estimated the changes of carbon dioxide emissions in six economic sectors under different constraints, including energy, ground transportation, industry, public buildings and commerce, housing and aviation.
The researchers also estimated the impact of this decline on total emissions in 2020. They believe that if social activities return to the pre-epidemic level in mid-June, the total emissions may drop by an average of 4% by the end of the year. If some restrictive policies are maintained until the end of 2020, the total emissions may decrease by an average of 7%.
China News Network-Global carbon emissions decreased during the epidemic 17%.