New York’s transport emissions drop by 20% during pandemic: DEC


The COVID-19 pandemic was found to have significantly impacted greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) as a 20 per cent drop in transportation emissions was noted in New York, as per a recent report by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

The steep emissions reduction in 2020 matches the trend seen at the national level and represents the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on economic activity. These impacts are most pronounced in the transportation sector, which saw a 20 per cent drop in emissions (a 15.28mmt CO2e reduction), and the related decline in emissions associated with imported fuels (8.79mmt CO2e), according to the DEC’s 2022 Statewide Greenhouse Gas Report.

The COVID-19 pandemic was found to have significantly impacted GHGs as a 20 per cent drop in transportation emissions was noted in New York, as per a report by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The annual emission totals provided will aid in tracking New York’s progress toward its emissions limits established in the Climate Act.

In 2020, total energy emissions were 257.44mmt CO2e or 75 per cent of state-wide gross emissions and over 80 per cent of net emissions, when measured using Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) accounting. This represents a 25 per cent reduction in gross emissions compared to 1990 and an 11 per cent reduction compared to 2019.

The majority of energy emissions in 2020 were from either fuel combustion (58 per cent of energy and 44 per cent of total emissions) or were associated with the importing of those fuels or electricity (36 per cent of energy and 27 per cent of total emissions).

The majority of fuel combustion emissions in 2020 were from the burning of petroleum fuels, which is unsurprising as these are the main fuels used in transportation. However, emissions from the combustion of petroleum fuels had declined by 44 per cent since 1990, while emissions from natural gas increased nearly 46 per cent. Emissions from the combustion of coal declined 98 per cent, added the report.

The annual emission totals provided will aid in tracking New York’s progress toward its 2030 and 2050 emissions limits established in the Climate Act, as codified in the Part 496 regulation DEC adopted in 2020.

The Climate Act requires the state to achieve a carbon-free electricity system by 2040 and reduce GHG emissions 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 85 per cent by 2050, setting a new standard for states and the nation to expedite the transition to a clean energy economy, the DEC said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)




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