Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Electricity Production Due to Lockdown

Yusri Yusup, Nur Kamila Ramli, John Stephen Kayode, Chee Su Yin, Sabiq Hisham, Hassim Mohamad Isa and Mardiana Idayu Ahmad
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Yusri Yusup: Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang 11800 USM, Malaysia
Nur Kamila Ramli: Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang 11800 USM, Malaysia
John Stephen Kayode: Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang 11800 USM, Malaysia
Chee Su Yin: Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang 11800 USM, Malaysia
Sabiq Hisham: A-LG-03, Block A, Elite Scientific Instruments Sdn Bhd, Serdang Perdana Selatan, Section 1, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Seri Kembangan 43300, Malaysia
Hassim Mohamad Isa: A-LG-03, Block A, Elite Scientific Instruments Sdn Bhd, Serdang Perdana Selatan, Section 1, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Seri Kembangan 43300, Malaysia
Mardiana Idayu Ahmad: Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang 11800 USM, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-12

Abstract: We analyzed real-time measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), with total electricity production and nationwide restrictions phases in China, the United States of America, Europe, and India due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on atmospheric CO 2 . A decline of 3.7% in the global energy demand at about 150 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in the first quarter (Q1) of 2020 was recorded compared to Q1 2019 due to the cutback on international economic activities. Our results showed that: (1) electricity production for the same period in 2018, 2019, and 2020 shrunk at an offset of 9.20%, which resulted in a modest reduction (−1.79%) of atmospheric CO 2 to the 2017–2018 CO 2 level; (2) a non-seasonal, abrupt, and brief atmospheric CO 2 decrease by 0.85% in mid-February 2020 could be due to Phase 1 restrictions in China. The results indicate that electricity production reduction is significant to the short-term variability of atmospheric CO 2 . It also highlights China’s significant contribution to atmospheric CO 2 , which suggests that, without the national restriction of activities, CO 2 concentration is set to exceed 2019 by 1.79%. Due to the lockdown, it quickly decreased and sustained for two months. The results underscore atmospheric CO 2 reductions on the monthly time scale that can be achieved if electricity production from combustible sources was slashed. The result could be useful for cost-benefit analyses on the decrease in electricity production of combustible sources and the impact of this reduction on atmospheric CO 2 .

Keywords: atmospheric CO 2; electricity production; COVID-19; lockdown; restriction of activities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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