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Environmental impacts and policy responses to Covid-19: A view from Latin America

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  • Alejandro Lopez Feldman
  • Carlos Chavez, Maria Velez, Hernan Bejarano, Ariaster Chimeli, Jose Feres, Juan Robalino

Abstract

COVID-19 is currently having major short run effects with possible serious long run consequences on economic and social aspects, including several potential implications for the environment and the management of natural resources in Latin America. In this paper, we discuss the possible effects of the pandemic on air pollution, deforestation and other relevant environmental dimensions across the region. With contributions from environmental economists from eight countries, we give an overview of the initial and expected environmental effects of this health crisis. We discuss potential effects on environmental regulations and possible policy interventions, as well as an agenda for future research for those interested in the design and evaluation of environmental policies relevant for the Latin American context.

Suggested Citation

  • Alejandro Lopez Feldman & Carlos Chavez, Maria Velez, Hernan Bejarano, Ariaster Chimeli, Jose Feres, Juan Robalino, 2020. "Environmental impacts and policy responses to Covid-19: A view from Latin America," Working Papers, Department of Economics 2020_11, University of São Paulo (FEA-USP), revised 14 Jul 2020.
    • Handle: RePEc:spa:wpaper:2020wpecon11
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jeadran Malagón-Rojas & Daniela Mendez-Molano & Julia Almentero & Yesith G. Toloza-Pérez & Eliana L. Parra-Barrera & Claudia P. Gómez-Rendón, 2022. "Environmental Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experience of Bogotá, 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-11, May.
    3. Lalisa A. Duguma & Meine van Noordwijk & Peter A. Minang & Kennedy Muthee, 2021. "COVID-19 Pandemic and Agroecosystem Resilience: Early Insights for Building Better Futures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-22, January.
    4. Maria Jose Murcia & Pilar Acosta, 2023. "Accounting for Plural Cognitive Framings of Growth and Sustainability: Rethinking Management Education in Latin America," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 185(2), pages 299-313, June.
    5. Leslier Valenzuela-Fernández & Manuel Escobar-Farfán & Mauricio Guerra-Velásquez & Elizabeth Emperatriz García-Salirrosas, 2023. "COVID-19 Effects on Environmentally Responsible Behavior: A Social Impact Perspective from Latin American Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-21, February.
    6. Juan Pablo Morea, 2020. "Post COVID-19 Pandemic Scenarios in an Unequal World Challenges for Sustainable Development in Latin America," World, MDPI, vol. 2(1), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Yannick Useni Sikuzani & Médard Mpanda Mukenza & Ildephonse Kipili Mwenya & Héritier Khoji Muteya & Dieu-donné N’tambwe Nghonda & Nathan Kasanda Mukendi & François Malaisse & Françoise Malonga Kaj & D, 2024. "Quantifying Forest Cover Loss during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Lubumbashi Charcoal Production Basin (DR Congo) through Remote Sensing and Landscape Analysis," Resources, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-25, July.
    8. Britta Rude & Bennet Niederhöfer & Fabio Ferrara, 2020. "ifo Migrationsmonitor: Entwaldung und Migration," ifo Schnelldienst, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 73(09), pages 66-74, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Air pollution; COVID-19; coronavirus; deforestation; environmental impacts; environmental policy; Latin America; pandemic; SARS-Cov2-19;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • Q22 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Fishery
    • Q23 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Forestry
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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