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The Ecological Footprint of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Kurzweil

    (Department MBUT, Technical University of Applied Sciences (OTH), Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring 23, 92224 Amberg, Germany)

  • Alfred Müller

    (Analytic Services, Jahnstr. 34c, 80469 München, Germany)

  • Steffen Wahler

    (St. Bernward GmbH, Friedrich-Kirsten-Str. 40, 22391 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

Compared to the medical, economic and social implications of COVID-19 vaccinations, little attention has been paid to the ecological balance to date. This study is an attempt to estimate the environmental impact of two mRNA vaccines in terms of CO 2 equivalents with respect to their different freezing strategies and supply chain organization. Although it is impossible to accurately calculate the actual environmental impact of the new biochemical synthesis technology, it becomes apparent that transport accounts for up to 99% of the total carbon footprint. The emissions for air freight, road transportation and last-mile delivery are nearly as 19 times the emissions generated from ultra-deep freeze technologies, the production of dry ice, glass and medical polymers for packaging. The carbon footprint of a single mRNA vaccine dose injected into a patient is about 0.01 to 0.2 kg CO 2 equivalents, depending on the cooling technology and the logistic routes to the vaccination sites in Germany.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Kurzweil & Alfred Müller & Steffen Wahler, 2021. "The Ecological Footprint of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7425-:d:592628
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Liu, Jili & Kim Loan, Vo Thi & Mousa, Saeed & Ali, Anis & Muda, Iskandar & Cong, Phan The, 2023. "Sustainability and natural resources management in developed countries: The role of financial inclusion and human development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).

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