Climate mitigation scenarios with persistent COVID-19-related energy demand changes

Jarmo S. Kikstra (), Adriano Vinca, Francesco Lovat, Benigna Boza-Kiss, Bas van Ruijven, Charlie Wilson, Joeri Rogelj, Behnam Zakeri, Oliver Fricko and Keywan Riahi
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Jarmo S. Kikstra: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Adriano Vinca: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Francesco Lovat: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Benigna Boza-Kiss: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Charlie Wilson: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Joeri Rogelj: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Behnam Zakeri: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Oliver Fricko: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Keywan Riahi: International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

Nature Energy, 2021, vol. 6, issue 12, 1114-1123

Abstract: Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic caused radical temporary breaks with past energy use trends. How post-pandemic recovery will impact the longer-term energy transition is unclear. Here we present a set of global COVID-19 shock-and-recovery scenarios that systematically explore the effect of demand changes persisting. Our pathways project final energy demand reductions of 1–36 EJ yr−1 by 2025 and cumulative CO2 emission reductions of 14–45 GtCO2 by 2030. Uncertainty ranges depend on the depth and duration of the economic downturn and demand-side changes. Recovering from the pandemic with energy-efficient practices embedded in new patterns of travel, work, consumption and production reduces climate mitigation challenges. A low energy demand recovery reduces carbon prices for a 1.5 °C-consistent pathway by 19%, lowers energy supply investments until 2030 by US$1.8 trillion and softens the pressure to rapidly upscale renewable energy technologies.

Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-021-00904-8

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