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Covid-19 and Climate Change

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COVID-19 and International Development

Abstract

The Covid-19 outbreak generated an unprecedented drop in global CO2 emissions as a result of economic disruption and reduced demand for electricity and transportation. Similar to the 2008–9 global financial crisis, several scholars have put forward ideas for a Green New Deal and coordinated green fiscal stimulus that can simultaneously reduce economic hardship (especially for the most vulnerable segments of our societies) and address climate change concerns. During a global health and economic crisis of such proportions, there is a heightened risk that financing of low-carbon investment can fall victim to future budget cuts and reduced international aid. In addition, carbon-intensive travel, trade and tourism jointly contribute to both global warming and the rapid spread of pathogens across borders - forced behavioural changes (as a result of Covid-19 mobility and social contact restrictions) offer a unique opportunity for reflection of our unsustainable lifestyles.

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Correspondence to Agni Kalfagianni .

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Kalfagianni, A., Papyrakis, E. (2022). Covid-19 and Climate Change. In: Papyrakis, E. (eds) COVID-19 and International Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82339-9_11

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