This brief analyses the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated government responses on the environment. It links the impact of sectoral and regional shocks to the economy until 2040 to a range of environmental pressures, including greenhouse gas emissions, emissions of air pollutants, the use of raw materials and land use change. The short-term reductions in environmental pressures are significant; as the economy gradually recovers, emissions are projected to increase again, with growth rates going back to the pre-COVID baseline projection levels. But there is a long-term – potentially permanent – downward impact on the levels of environmental pressures of 1-3%, with stronger effects for pressures related to capital-intensive economic activities.
The long-term environmental implications of COVID-19
Policy paper
OECD Policy Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
![](/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--e2b51cb6-34fe-4636-956f-f54c7d9b3b1d/30.png?preferwebp=true&quality=80)
Share
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Abstract
In the same series
-
Policy paper11 October 2022
-
Policy paper30 August 2022
-
21 April 2022
-
Policy paper17 March 2022
-
Policy paper17 March 2022
Related publications
-
2 August 2023
-
20 March 2023
-
Working paper29 July 2022
-
10 March 2021
-
Working paper12 June 2020