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Temporary reduction in daily global CO2 emissions during the COVID-19 forced confinement

Author

Listed:
  • Corinne Le Quéré

    (University of East Anglia
    University of East Anglia)

  • Robert B. Jackson

    (Stanford University
    Stanford University
    Stanford University)

  • Matthew W. Jones

    (University of East Anglia
    University of East Anglia)

  • Adam J. P. Smith

    (University of East Anglia
    University of East Anglia)

  • Sam Abernethy

    (Stanford University
    Stanford University)

  • Robbie M. Andrew

    (CICERO Center for International Climate Research)

  • Anthony J. De-Gol

    (University of East Anglia
    University of East Anglia)

  • David R. Willis

    (University of East Anglia
    University of East Anglia)

  • Yuli Shan

    (Integrated Research for Energy, Environment and Society (IREES), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen University of Groningen)

  • Josep G. Canadell

    (Global Carbon Project, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere)

  • Pierre Friedlingstein

    (University of Exeter
    IPSL, ENS, PSL Université, École Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Sorbonne Université, CNRS)

  • Felix Creutzig

    (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change
    Technical University Berlin)

  • Glen P. Peters

    (CICERO Center for International Climate Research)

Abstract

Government policies during the COVID-19 pandemic have drastically altered patterns of energy demand around the world. Many international borders were closed and populations were confined to their homes, which reduced transport and changed consumption patterns. Here we compile government policies and activity data to estimate the decrease in CO2 emissions during forced confinements. Daily global CO2 emissions decreased by –17% (–11 to –25% for ±1σ) by early April 2020 compared with the mean 2019 levels, just under half from changes in surface transport. At their peak, emissions in individual countries decreased by –26% on average. The impact on 2020 annual emissions depends on the duration of the confinement, with a low estimate of –4% (–2 to –7%) if prepandemic conditions return by mid-June, and a high estimate of –7% (–3 to –13%) if some restrictions remain worldwide until the end of 2020. Government actions and economic incentives postcrisis will likely influence the global CO2 emissions path for decades.

Suggested Citation

  • Corinne Le Quéré & Robert B. Jackson & Matthew W. Jones & Adam J. P. Smith & Sam Abernethy & Robbie M. Andrew & Anthony J. De-Gol & David R. Willis & Yuli Shan & Josep G. Canadell & Pierre Friedlingst, 2020. "Temporary reduction in daily global CO2 emissions during the COVID-19 forced confinement," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 10(7), pages 647-653, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:10:y:2020:i:7:d:10.1038_s41558-020-0797-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-020-0797-x
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