IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v13y2020i22p6048-d447554.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

On Reduced Consumption of Fossil Fuels in 2020 and Its Consequences in Global Environment and Exergy Demand

Author

Listed:
  • A. Rashedi

    (College of Engineering, IT & Environment, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia
    Faculty of Business, Economics & Law, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia)

  • Taslima Khanam

    (College of Engineering, IT & Environment, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia)

  • Mirjam Jonkman

    (College of Engineering, IT & Environment, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia)

Abstract

As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a sudden and abrupt change in global energy landscape. Traditional fossil fuels that serve as the linchpin of modern civilization have found their consumption has rapidly fallen across most categories due to strict lockdown and stringent measures that have been adopted to suppress the disease. These changes consequently steered various environmental benefits across the world in recent time. The present article is an attempt to investigate these environmental benefits and reversals that have been materialized in this unfolding situation due to reduced consumption of fossil fuels. The life cycle assessment tool was used hereby to evaluate nine environmental impacts and one energy based impact. These impacts include ozone formation (terrestrial ecosystems), terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, marine eutrophication, terrestrial ecotoxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity, marine ecotoxicity, land use, mineral resources scarcity, and cumulative exergy demand. Outcomes from the study demonstrate that COVID-19 has delivered impressive changes in global environment and life cycle exergy demand, with about 11–25% curtailment in all the above-mentioned impacts in 2020 in comparison to their corresponding readings in 2019.

Suggested Citation

  • A. Rashedi & Taslima Khanam & Mirjam Jonkman, 2020. "On Reduced Consumption of Fossil Fuels in 2020 and Its Consequences in Global Environment and Exergy Demand," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:22:p:6048-:d:447554
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/22/6048/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/22/6048/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. A. P. Ballantyne & C. B. Alden & J. B. Miller & P. P. Tans & J. W. C. White, 2012. "Increase in observed net carbon dioxide uptake by land and oceans during the past 50 years," Nature, Nature, vol. 488(7409), pages 70-72, August.
    2. Dincer, Ibrahim, 2002. "The role of exergy in energy policy making," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 137-149, January.
    3. Ahamed, J.U. & Saidur, R. & Masjuki, H.H., 2011. "A review on exergy analysis of vapor compression refrigeration system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 1593-1600, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Mahmoud G. Hemeida & Ashraf M. Hemeida & Tomonobu Senjyu & Dina Osheba, 2022. "Renewable Energy Resources Technologies and Life Cycle Assessment: Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-36, December.
    2. Indre Siksnelyte-Butkiene, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Sustainability of the Energy Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, November.
    3. Tetiana Roik & Oleg Gavrysh & Ahmad Rashedi & Taslima Khanam & Ali Raza & Byongug Jeong, 2022. "New Antifriction Composites for Printing Machines Based on Tool Steel Grinding Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-11, February.
    4. Ramdhan Halid Siregar & Yuwaldi Away & Tarmizi & Akhyar, 2023. "Minimizing Power Losses for Distributed Generation (DG) Placements by Considering Voltage Profiles on Distribution Lines for Different Loads Using Genetic Algorithm Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-25, July.
    5. Toshiyuki Sueyoshi & Youngbok Ryu & Ji-Young Yun, 2021. "COVID-19 Response and Prospects of Clean/Sustainable Energy Transition in Industrial Nations: New Environmental Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-30, February.
    6. Rabaka Sultana & Ahmad Rashedi & Taslima Khanam & Byongug Jeong & Homa Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha & Majid Hussain, 2022. "Life Cycle Environmental Sustainability and Energy Assessment of Timber Wall Construction: A Comprehensive Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-30, March.
    7. Foster Awindolla Asaki & Emmanuel Kwakye Amoah & Mac Junior Abeka, 2024. "The Impact of Electricity Production on Environmental Quality: The Role of Institutional Quality in Ghana," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 5(2), pages 1-20, June.
    8. Tehseen Ahmad & Majid Hussain & Mudassar Iqbal & Ashfaq Ali & Wajiha Manzoor & Hamida Bibi & Shamsher Ali & Fariha Rehman & Ahmad Rashedi & Muhammad Amin & Anila Tabassum & Ghulam Raza & Dilawar Farha, 2022. "Environmental, Energy, and Water Footprints of Marble Tile Production Chain in a Life Cycle Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-20, July.
    9. Biljana Kulisic & Bruno Gagnon & Jörg Schweinle & Sam Van Holsbeeck & Mark Brown & Jurica Simurina & Ioannis Dimitriou & Heather McDonald, 2021. "The Contributions of Biomass Supply for Bioenergy in the Post-COVID-19 Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-31, December.
    10. Muhammad Shahid Mastoi & Hafiz Mudassir Munir & Shenxian Zhuang & Mannan Hassan & Muhammad Usman & Ahmad Alahmadi & Basem Alamri, 2022. "A Critical Analysis of the Impact of Pandemic on China’s Electricity Usage Patterns and the Global Development of Renewable Energy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-30, April.
    11. Lukas Folkens & Petra Schneider, 2022. "Responsible Carbon Resource Management through Input-Oriented Cap and Trade (IOCT)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Frank Bruno & Martin Belusko & Edward Halawa, 2019. "CO 2 Refrigeration and Heat Pump Systems—A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-39, August.
    2. Ozgener, Leyla & Ozgener, Onder, 2010. "An experimental study of the exergetic performance of an underground air tunnel system for greenhouse cooling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2804-2811.
    3. Francisco Amaral & Alex Santos & Ewerton Calixto & Fernando Pessoa & Delano Santana, 2020. "Exergetic Evaluation of an Ethylene Refrigeration Cycle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-21, July.
    4. Murthy, Anarghya Ananda & Krishan, Gopal & Shenoy, Praveen & Patil, Ishwaragouda S, 2024. "Theoretical, CFD modelling and experimental investigation of a four-intersecting-vane rotary expander," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PB).
    5. Brand-Correa, Lina I. & Steinberger, Julia K., 2017. "A Framework for Decoupling Human Need Satisfaction From Energy Use," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 43-52.
    6. Kasaeian, Alibakhsh & Hosseini, Seyed Mohsen & Sheikhpour, Mojgan & Mahian, Omid & Yan, Wei-Mon & Wongwises, Somchai, 2018. "Applications of eco-friendly refrigerants and nanorefrigerants: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 91-99.
    7. Chen, B. & Chen, G.Q., 2007. "Resource analysis of the Chinese society 1980-2002 based on exergy--Part 3: Agricultural products," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 2065-2078, April.
    8. Hepbasli, Arif & Alsuhaibani, Zeyad, 2011. "Exergetic and exergoeconomic aspects of wind energy systems in achieving sustainable development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(6), pages 2810-2825, August.
    9. Zhang, M. & Li, G. & Mu, H.L. & Ning, Y.D., 2011. "Energy and exergy efficiencies in the Chinese transportation sector, 1980–2009," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 770-776.
    10. Lina I. Brand-Correa & Paul E. Brockway & Claire L. Copeland & Timothy J. Foxon & Anne Owen & Peter G. Taylor, 2017. "Developing an Input-Output Based Method to Estimate a National-Level Energy Return on Investment (EROI)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-21, April.
    11. Zhihua Liu & John S. Kimball & Ashley P. Ballantyne & Nicholas C. Parazoo & Wen J. Wang & Ana Bastos & Nima Madani & Susan M. Natali & Jennifer D. Watts & Brendan M. Rogers & Philippe Ciais & Kailiang, 2022. "Respiratory loss during late-growing season determines the net carbon dioxide sink in northern permafrost regions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    12. Romero Gómez, J. & Ferreiro Garcia, R. & De Miguel Catoira, A. & Romero Gómez, M., 2013. "Magnetocaloric effect: A review of the thermodynamic cycles in magnetic refrigeration," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 17(C), pages 74-82.
    13. BoroumandJazi, G. & Rismanchi, B. & Saidur, R., 2013. "A review on exergy analysis of industrial sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 198-203.
    14. Roger Fouquet, 2012. "Economics of Energy and Climate Change: Origins, Developments and Growth," Working Papers 2012-08, BC3.
    15. Li, Sheng & Jin, Hongguang & Gao, Lin & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2014. "Exergy analysis and the energy saving mechanism for coal to synthetic/substitute natural gas and power cogeneration system without and with CO2 capture," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 552-561.
    16. Albà, C.G. & Alkhatib, I.I.I. & Llovell, F. & Vega, L.F., 2023. "Hunting sustainable refrigerants fulfilling technical, environmental, safety and economic requirements," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    17. Koroneos, Christopher J. & Nanaki, Evanthia A. & Xydis, George A., 2011. "Exergy analysis of the energy use in Greece," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 2475-2481, May.
    18. Shao, Ling & Wu, Zi & Chen, G.Q., 2013. "Exergy based ecological footprint accounting for China," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 83-96.
    19. Zefeng Chen & Weiguang Wang & Giovanni Forzieri & Alessandro Cescatti, 2024. "Transition from positive to negative indirect CO2 effects on the vegetation carbon uptake," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    20. An, Qier & An, Haizhong & Wang, Lang & Huang, Xuan, 2014. "Structural and regional variations of natural resource production in China based on exergy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 67-77.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:22:p:6048-:d:447554. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.