Nicolini, G., Antoniella, G., Carotenuto, F., Christen, A., Ciais, P., Feigenwinter, C., ... & Papale, D. (2022). Direct observations of CO2 emission reductions due to COVID-19 lockdown across European urban districts. Science of the Total Environment, 830, 154662.
Direct observations of CO2 emission reductions due to COVID-19 lockdown across European urban districts
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, measures such as lockdowns and restrictions on mobility led to significant reductions in CO2 emissions in urban areas worldwide. To understand the impact of these measures on local CO2 emissions, we analyzed data from 13 monitoring stations in 11 European cities. The data covered the period before the pandemic and up to six months after it began in Europe. We found that all sites experienced a decrease in CO2 emissions during the lockdowns, but the extent varied between cities and even within different areas of the same city. The reductions ranged from 5% to 87% compared to the same period in previous years, primarily due to decreased mobility. However, as restrictions were lifted in the following months, CO2 emissions quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels in most areas.
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Header image: De Stad Wageningen - Arboretum