Monthly change in energy-related CO2 emission worldwide 2020

The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 caused major disruptions to industry and tourism, devastating the global economy and resulting in significant emission reductions around the world. In April 2020, global CO2 emissions had fallen by roughly 15 percent when compared the same month in 2019. This was at the height of global restrictions, with much of the world in strict lockdowns. In this same month, emissions in India fell a staggering 41 percent compared to same period the previous year, with noticeable reductions occurring in other major polluting regions such as the United States and the European Union.

Emissions eventually rebounded

Emissions began to recover as lockdown restrictions eased in many countries. China was the first country to feel the impacts of COVID-19, but it was also the first country to emerge from these restrictions. While other major economies saw record reductions in April, emissions that month in China had recovered to pre-pandemic levels. In December, CO2 emissions in China were seven percent higher than in December 2019. By September, India had also seen its emissions rise above pre pandemic levels as industries began to open up. Although emissions rebounded in both the United States and the European Union, monthly emissions remained below pre-pandemic levels.

Atmospheric CO2 levels

Throughout history, emissions have only noticeably fallen during major global events, such as wars and recessions, and the COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for the largest ever fall in emissions. Despite the dramatic reduction in 2020, concentrations of atmospheric CO2 levels reached record highs that year.