The economic and behavioral impacts of COVID-19 will significantly reduce global long-term energy demand, according to several recent reports. The pandemic has already caused a decline in greenhouse gas emissions; 2019 may go down as the year of peak emissions. However, its impact on reaching climate change goals will likely be small.

One report estimated that the current pandemic will reduce the amount of energy required to be used by humanity to be 8% lower by 2050. In addition to this, long-term behavioral changes in people’s travel, commuting, and work habits will likely cause a net decrease in energy usage. In general, these changes may lead to reduced gasoline and jet fuel demand in the transportation sector and reduced fossil fuel demand in the iron/steel industries (excess of commercial building space resulting in less construction).

Together with improvements in energy efficiency and the recent significant decline in coal use, several forecasts predict that global GHG emissions probably peaked in 2019, but may be flat or decline insignificantly 2050. Perhaps more important, we may not be able to prevent the rise in the average global temperature to be maintained below the 2°C rise goal from now. The pandemic may slow the time it takes to raise temperatures another 2°C, but predictions are that we will meet and exceed it around 2050.

CCES has the experts to help you to determine your entity’s energy use and GHG emissions. We can recommend and project manage the technologies and strategies to help you reduce your energy usage and GHG emissions to save significant costs and meet company sustainability goals. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.