The world is on lockdown. So where are all the carbon emissions coming from?

In the spring of 2020, while the whole world was on lockdown and the global economy ground to a halt, global C02 emission fell by only 5.5%. 

While a 5.5% drop in emissions would still be the largest yearly change on record, it falls woefully short of the reduction needed to avert climate disaster. Carbon emissions need to decrease by 7.6% every year to keep global warming from surpassing the 1.5 C about pre-industrial levels according to an analysis by the United Nations Environment Program. 

So, even if the slowdown of the pandemic continues to reduce emissions by 7.6% this year, emissions would have to drop another 7.6% next year and each successive year after that. 

Where else can we reduce emissions if we’re all already staying at home? 

Electricity and heating account for 40% of global emissions and manufacturing another 20%. Personal changes in energy usage are small and ultimately don’t compare to the large structural changes we will need for a significant and lasting impact.

Read more about the current state of carbon emissions during lockdown here.