COVID-19 and greenhouse gas emissions
The world saw striking images in the months of March and April 2020 as countries dealt with a pandemic. Some metropolitan areas experienced clear skies as shuttered factories and reduced transport eliminated the smoggy emissions that had previously fouled the air. During this unusual pause, many wondered what impacts this might have on greenhouse gas emissions.
Empty roads
During the March–April 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, road traffic was significantly reduced. There were fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and pedestrians and cyclists enjoyed the quieter roads.
The New Zealand experience
In a move to eliminate COVID-19 from the country, New Zealand closed its borders and confined people to their homes for 29 days during an Alert Level 4 lockdown. From 26 March to 27 April 2020, essential work continued and supermarkets stayed open, but schools, shops and workplaces closed. Those who could worked from home.
Scientists with the Ministry for the Environment wondered how this radical and sudden behaviour change affected emissions. They are also curious to know whether the changes resulting from this event can inform what changes in activity (and the forces driving emissions) may mean for emissions.
Can we stop climate change?
Climate experts Professor James Renwick and Drew Bingham discuss the possibility of stopping climate change by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
Questions for discussion:
If we stopped adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, why would it take a while for things to change?
What aspects of climate change are not so reversible?
Changes in travel
During the lockdown, traffic in large urban areas dropped an average of 19–25% of 2019 levels. Heavy vehicles travelled up to 50–60% less compared to mid-March, but buses still ran to transport essential workers, sometimes with few or no passengers. Sea freight reduced, imports decreased by 21% and exports decreased by 17% in April compared to April 2019. Domestic air travel restrictions and the closed border decreased air traffic volume by about 80%.
Large reductions in air pollutants and emissions were observed. In Auckland, nitrogen dioxide levels decreased by 34–57%, and black carbon fell by 55–75%.
Globally, similar lockdowns cut carbon dioxide to 2006 levels. At its peak during the lockdowns in early April, daily carbon dioxide emissions were estimated to have decreased by 17% from 2019 levels. Reductions in road and air traffic made the biggest contributions.
Annual global emissions for 2020 are estimated to be down 4–7% on 2019 levels. Because annual global emissions are so large, a decrease of this size is unlikely to significantly affect the accumulation of car bon dioxide in the atmosphere unless this rate of decrease continues year on year for the next decades.
Short-term decreases during economic crises
The response to COVID-19 has come at an economic cost to New Zealand. Previous economic crises have caused emissions to decrease in the short term. For example, carbon emissions in America dropped by 26% during 1930–1932 due to the Great Depression. When the Soviet Union fell in 1991, its emissions also decreased.
Closed for business
All non-essential businesses were closed for 29 days in March–April 2020 to stop the spread of COVID-19. There was significant disruption to the economy. Economic crises can cause short-term reductions in carbon emissions.
Emissions levels rebounded except when the crises were driven by energy supply. Energy efficiency improved substantially, and alternative energy sources were developed as a result of the oil crises of the 1970s and 1980s. The current decreases to emissions are unlikely to be lasting unless structural changes are made to the world’s economic, transport or energy systems.
Normal activity and emissions resume
Transport and economic activity in New Zealand increased as restrictions on movement were eased in April and May. Normal activity resumed on 9 June 2020 (except for the border remaining closed). Traffic volumes returned to about 2019 levels 1 month later, being up to 94% in Auckland, 96% in Wellington and 100% in Dunedin. Christchurch and Hamilton exceeded 2019 traffic volumes by 4–5%.
The longest-lasting emission reductions are likely to be in tourism, which makes up about 7% of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions (most of which is from air and land-based travel). However, reductions in international tourism may be partially offset by more domestic tourism as New Zealanders are encouraged to travel and support the recovery of local economies.
2021 – industry emissions still below pre-COVID 19 levels
StatsNZ reported that the New Zealand economy was still dealing with significant upheaval due to the pandemic. In the year ended September 2021, the country's businesses and households emitted 4.4% fewer greenhouse gases when compared with pre-COVID 2019 levels.
What can I do to stop climate change?
Professor James Renwick provides a few suggestions on how each of us can reduce our carbon footprint.
Questions for discussion:
What are some of the suggestions that you can put into practice?
Who might you talk to about climate change?
Is there an effective way a group of you might be able to communicate your ideas?
Dr Shaun Awatere is shown commuting to work – what mode of transport does he use?
Why do you think Shaun commutes this way?
Related content
The article Climate action suggests actions that individuals, schools and businesses can take that, together, can lead to larger change.
Useful links
Gen Less, a New Zealand Government-supported website, has suggestions for reducing our individual carbon footprints.
Use the Future Fit website to track your carbon footprint and discover your impact on the planet.
Acknowledgement
This resource has been produced with the support of the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ. (c) Crown Copyright.
Our atmosphere and climate 2020
The Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ produce New Zealand’s Environmental Reporting Series. Our atmosphere and climate 2020 focuses on climate change, with an overview of what is happening to our climate and how this affects many of the things we care about.
