How the coronavirus pandemic slashed carbon emissions — in five graphs

How the coronavirus pandemic slashed carbon emissions — in five graphs



Energy consumption is starting to rebound in China as lockdowns are eased. (Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty)

Pandemic response slashes carbon emissions

The international response to the coronavirus pandemic has so far cut global carbon emissions by more than 8%, according to estimates from a pair of independent research teams. That’s roughly three times the annual emissions of Italy. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” says climate scientist Corinne Le Quéré. But energy consumption is already rebounding in China and elsewhere, and the pandemic could register as little more than a blip in the climate system as government-imposed lockdowns come to an end.
Nature | 5 min read