Abstract:Recent studies conclude that the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic decreased power sector CO2 emissions globally and in the United States. In this paper, we analyze the statistical significance of CO2 emissions reductions in the U.S. power sector from March through December 2020. We use Gaussian process (GP) regression to assess whether CO2 emissions reductions would have occurred with reasonable probability in the absence of COVID-19 considering uncertainty due to factors unrelated to the pandemic and ad… Show more
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many studies have appeared on how it will affect climate change and policy, and vice versa. In this study, we systematically review the literature about this relationship. We obtained a sample of 204 articles published in the period from February 2020 to March 2022. Using topic modelling and qualitative analysis, we identify seven main topics on the nexus of COVID-19 and climate change: (1) impacts of COVID-19 on climate change and policy; (2) sustainable recovery after COVID-19; (3) public concern about climate change and COVID-19; (4) lessons from COVID-19 for climate change action; (5) effects of COVID-19 and climate change on the economy, food security and poverty; (6) collective responses to crises and (7) similarities and differences between COVID-19 and climate change. We discuss lessons derived from each of these topics and identify key policies and strategies for a sustainable recovery from COVID-19. Investments in low-carbon technologies and carbon taxation are the most commonly suggested policy solutions. If climate targets are to be met, climate action needs to be the focus of COVID-19 recovery.
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