Social isolation resulting from measures to combat the transmission of the coronavirus caused a record drop in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2020. According to the GCP (Global Carbon Project), in a report published at the Climate Conference promoted by the UN (United Nations), the annual balance of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels recorded an average drop of 7%, or 2.4 billion tons in 2020! This value is a record never before seen, not even during other more recent global crises, such as the 2008 financial crisis or World War II.
The reduction in CO2 emissions was significantly lower in the first half of last year. The transportation (40%), energy production (22%) and industry (17%) sectors led the reductions in CO2 emissions, which, on average, corresponded to 1.5 million tons (8.8%) in the first half of 2020. The increase in carbon dioxide emissions in the second half of 2020 can be explained by the easing of social isolation measures in several countries around the world.
According to the Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), there is a “rebound effect” associated with the return of industrial and social activities, such as the increase in transportation flow, after the end of crises with a global impact. In 2009, for example, there was a considerable decrease in carbon dioxide emissions, around 1.5%, however, in 2010, there was a rebound that increased the presence of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere by 5.1%.
However, according to Philippe Ciais, a researcher at the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement (LSCE), “the way to mitigate climate change is not to stop activities, but to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy.” Therefore, with a view to combating climate change, the ideal is to transition industrial and social process models to a format that aims at low CO2 emissions, associated with measures to encourage the preservation of forests and ecosystems that can reduce greenhouse gases present in our planet’s atmosphere. Canopée contributes to this goal by assisting landowners and developing nature conservation and greenhouse gas neutralization projects on their lands!
Sources:
SUPER Interesting, 02/02/2021.
G1, 10/14/2020.
UOL Environment, 12/11/2020.
VEJA, 05/29/2020.
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Canopée was founded in early 2020 by a small group of internationally renowned entrepreneurs and executives who decided to pool their skills and experience to benefit the environment and communities living in protected and preserved areas.
