Near-real-time monitoring of global CO2 emissions reveals the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting human activities, and in turn energy use and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. Here we present daily estimates of country-level CO 2 emissions for different sectors based on near-real-time activity data. The key result is an abrupt 8.8% decrease in global CO 2 emissions (−1551 Mt CO 2 ) in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The magnitude of this decrease is larger than during previous economic downturns or World War II. The timing of emissions decreases corresponds to lockdown measures in each country. By July 1st, the pandemic’s effects on global emissions diminished as lockdown restrictions relaxed and some economic activities restarted,…

• CT
  Cyrus Tang Foundation
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 91746112, 71921003, 71874097, 2018YFC0213600, 71725005, 71822402, 41921005, 71761147001
• SF
  Science Fund for Creative Research Groups
• TU
  Tsinghua University
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Awards: 71761147001, 71921003, 2017YFA0603802, 2018YFC0213600
• NS
  National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars

  Award: 71725005