Rethinking Environmental Pollution: CO2 Emission Measurement during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Most Affected African Countries

Abstract

COVID-19, a global pandemic that began in December 2019, has resulted in millions of deaths and socioeconomic collapses. Surprisingly, global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have shown a reduction since the pandemic lockdown. However, findings concerning the relationship between COVID-19 and CO2 emissions have been given limited attention in Africa's case. This study examined the effect of COVID-19 on CO2 emissions for the selected and most concerned five African countries and discussed lessons to be taken from the pandemic on environmental protection in the post-pandemic situation. The study employed both descriptive and econometric approaches using daily data from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, to analyze the daily carbon emissions. The finding shows that CO2 emissions have been reduced in various sectors owing to the COVID-19 lockdown and other restrictions, which provided an opportunity to rethink measures to protect the environment in the long-term post-pandemic situation. The final part of the article argues that the observed lifestyle and changes in human and economic activities that impacted carbon emission reduction during COVID-19 are essential to drawing long-term environmental pollution mitigation strategies, particularly in the areas researched.