Air Pollution

Coronavirus causes ‘record fall’ in fossil-fuel emissions in 2020

It's the biggest drop in emissions since World War II. Image: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels by region, 1959-2020
Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels by region, 1959-2020 Image: Global Carbon Project
Global average CO2 emissions per capita have been flat for 10 years
Global average CO2 emissions per capita have been flat for 10 years Image: Global Carbon Project
Changes in CO2 emissions
Emissions have been rising steadily. Image: Nature Climate Change (2020)
Change in global emissions from fossil fuels by country, 2017-2020
Change in global emissions from fossil fuels by country, 2017-2020 Image: Global Carbon Project
Emissions from coal, oil, gas, and cement in China. Projections for 2020 emissions are shown with error bars.
Emissions from coal, oil, gas, and cement in China. Projections for 2020 emissions are shown with error bars. Image: Global Carbon Project
The global impact of Covid-19 lockdowns on a range of sectors.
The global impact of Covid-19 lockdowns on a range of sectors. Image: Le Quéré et al 2020
Annual CO2 emissions from coal (grey), oil (red), gas (blue), cement (yellow) and total (black).
Annual CO2 emissions from coal (grey), oil (red), gas (blue), cement (yellow) and total (black). Image: Carbon Brief
Annual CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and industry by major country and rest of world from 1959-2020, in billions of tonnes of CO2 per year (GtCO2).
Annual CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and industry by major country and rest of world from 1959-2020, in billions of tonnes of CO2 per year (GtCO2). Image: Global Carbon Project
Global Carbon Budget, 1959-2020
Global Carbon Budget, 1959-2020 Image: Global Carbon Project
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Related topics:
Air PollutionClimate ChangeSDG 13: Climate Action
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Here's how air pollution increases COVID risk

Samuel J. White and Philippe B. Wilson

March 23, 2023

1:45

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