Although the sky cleared after COVID-19, a 'Rebound' is coming

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Although greenhouse gas emissions have significantly decreased due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it has been pointed out that this is only a temporary phenomenon.

During the 2008 financial crisis, greenhouse gas emissions also noticeably decreased, but emissions rapidly increased due to the relaxation of environmental regulations aimed at economic recovery.

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information warned of this through the 'KOSEN Report' posted on the Korean Scientists and Engineers Network (KOSEN), a community of Korean scientists from over 70 countries worldwide.

According to the 'COVID-19 and Climate Change' report by Dr. Kyung-sun Lee of Texas A&M University, posted on KOSEN on the 12th, greenhouse gas emissions actually decreased significantly due to COVID-19.

In China, carbon emissions dropped by 18% between February and mid-March due to factory shutdowns. Emissions in Europe and Italy also fell by 27% in March. While COVID-19 is a great disaster for humanity, it is bringing positive changes to the Earth's environment. This is the first analysis of a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions since the 2008 financial crisis.

[Photo by Asia Economy]

However, Dr. Lee expects this decrease in emissions to be a temporary phenomenon. In the post-COVID era, a 'rebound effect' may occur, causing greenhouse gas emissions to surge. During the financial crisis, emissions surged due to the rebound effect associated with economic recovery.

Dr. Lee believes that governments are likely to relax environmental regulations to prepare for the post-COVID period. In fact, since March, the United States has eased fuel economy and emission standards for the automobile industry. As a result, the oil industry can stop reporting emissions of pollutants such as greenhouse gases.

In particular, as budgets focus on economic recovery, funding for climate change, which is relatively less timely, has begun to decrease. Due to the suspension of aircraft operations caused by COVID-19, climate change research is also facing setbacks.

Meanwhile, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information provides weekly series reports on KOSEN covering topics such as AI in the post-COVID era and citizen science triggered by COVID-19, in addition to this study.