Impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the environment
Less traffic on the streets, industrial production partially shut down, shops closed, offices deserted – how are the measures to combat coronavirus affecting the environment? Experts of the Umweltbundesamt (Environment Agency Austria) have compiled answers to these questions:
At the moment, one cannot say exactly what the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the environment will be. A reduction in emissions due to the reductions in traffic and the curtailment of industrial activities will certainly have a positive effect on air quality, the noise situation and on the amount of greenhouse gas emitted. How substantial this effect will be cannot be assessed reliably until quality-assured data are available. Whether the coronavirus crisis will have a positive effect on the environment in the long term will depend on the solution strategies and visions for the future that are developed and discussed while acute crisis management is under way. On a positive note: many sustainable and innovative approaches exist and some of them that until recently seemed difficult to imagine or next to impossible have now become important guidelines or instruments for the management of the crisis.
In digitalisation for example, there have been significant steps forward. And the crisis also opens up new perspectives. Lifestyles that support sustainability in mobility, consumption, nutrition and the way we treat nature are becoming more conceivable. There will be opportunities for the future if subsequent economic programmes are aimed at strengthening the resilience of the economy and society and at mitigating climate change.
Impact on air quality
The most immediate impact of the coronavirus crisis is on air quality. At locations close to roads where traffic flows and in cities, the measured nitrogen oxide concentrations in Austria are already showing a significant decline.
Nitrogen oxide emissions are largely produced by road transport. It is more difficult with particulate matter. Particulate matter has many different sources, such as domestic combustion, road transport, industry and agriculture, and is also transported over long distances (e.g. desert sand). In addition, particulate matter can also be formed from completely different pollutants, so-called precursors. A critical factor affecting air quality is also the weather. In the worst case, this means that although fewer emissions are emitted, pollutants cannot spread and local concentrations are still high.
Conclusion: first analyses already show air quality improvements, accurate evaluations will only be possible after a longer period of time. Long-term changes, particularly in the mobility structures or in mobility behaviour (more walking, cycling or working in the “home office”), can also make an important contribution to better air quality in the future. This requires suitable framework conditions such as e.g. the expansion of the cycle and footpath infrastructure or the digital infrastructure. In general, good long-term air quality makes an important contribution to the maintenance and improvement of people’s health.
Impact on greenhouse gas emissions
The coronavirus crisis has a direct impact on energy consumption, especially when it comes to mobility. Restrictions of the freedom of movement, along with working from home and the closure of shops, hotels and businesses etc., are changing people’s mobility behaviour.
Air traffic is significantly reduced, bus and train (i.e. public transport) services have moved to reduced timetables and fewer cars are on the road. This will lead to short-term emission reductions. Curbing industrial production will also lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. However, the deciding factor will be how long the crisis and the restrictions will last, and whether there is a partial or a complete curtailment of production processes and how long that will last. Long-term effects cannot be expected unless there are substantial structural changes in the mobility sector, in the production industry, or in consumption.
Conclusion: less traffic and less industrial production will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. How significant the impact will be can only be assessed when accurate data on fuel sales, mileage and energy consumption are available. Past crises (such as the 2008/09 economic crisis) have shown that greenhouse gas emissions were back to pre-crisis levels relatively quickly after the crisis. In the long term, greenhouse gas emissions will decrease only if subsequent European and national economic programmes are aimed at curbing climate change and if expenditures and climate policies (climate action and tax reform package) that have already been planned are included. Investments in renewable energies, thermal renovation, sustainable digitalisation or climate-friendly transport create jobs while also producing positive and stimulating effects for the Austrian economy.
Impact on biodiversity
Natural processes are generally slow, which means that the measures currently in force are not expected to have an immediate impact on biodiversity. Sightings of wild animals in the city are a well known phenomenon.
Scientists of the UN environmental programme point out that human, animal and plant diseases emerge and spread more easily in disturbed ecosystems than in stable and diverse ecosystems. Therefore, even if the emergence of the coronaviruses and their transmission to humans is as yet not fully understood, measures for the protection of nature and species form an important part of the precautions to protect human health.
Conclusion: the coronavirus crisis is not going to change nature and biodiversity directly, but it offers an opportunity to change the way we look at nature and thus may help to protect and restore biodiversity in the long term. From a sociological perspective, regional produce and recreation within one’s own local community are currently becoming more important, and long-term changes in our eating habits, consumer behaviour and leisure activities may have a positive impact on the way we treat nature.
Impact on waste generation
The coronavirus crisis also affects waste generation. While the amount of waste from industry, production and tourism is declining, the amount of waste from households, with people working from home and restaurants being closed, has increased significantly.
Big clear-outs are discouraged as the opening hours of waste and recycling centres are restricted. In any case, waste has to be disposed of properly, dumping waste in the natural environment is prohibited. Collections of residual waste are carried out as usual, as are the separate collections of other wastes and recycling materials. The fact that the spring clean campaign for 2020 has been cancelled means that more litter - i.e. waste that has been dropped accidentally or thrown away carelessly – will remain in the natural environment.
Conclusion: trends in waste arisings can only be assessed at a later date, on the basis of accurate data. Waste prevention, proper disposal and separate collections are critical for the protection of our natural resources and the environment also at a time of crisis if we want to make sure that raw materials are available for production after the crisis. The coronavirus crisis shows that lifestyles can change very quickly even in a very stable environment. The experiences gained can be used to improve the framework conditions for sustainable consumption (extending the useful life of sustainable products) and closed-loop oriented production and infrastructures (“Design for Re-Use, Design for Recycling”) in line with the principles of a circular economy.
