Coronavirus cuts China’s greenhouse gas emissions by a quarter
Reducing industrial working hours and keeping construction sites and shops closed has curbed the use of coal and cut output of steel products in the country, which produces about 27% of global greenhouse gases. Output of key steel products are at their lowest level for five years, and domestic flights have fallen by up to 70% in a month. The measures have also led to a drop of 36% in levels of nitrogen dioxide air pollution over China, according to analysis by climate science website Carbon Brief. Overall, the changes in Chinese society have caused a 40% plunge in output across key industrial sectors, according to the study, which was based on official statistics.