Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/228192 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
UCD Centre for Economic Research Working Paper Series No. WP20/12
Publisher: 
University College Dublin, UCD Centre for Economic Research, Dublin
Abstract: 
The COVID-19 crisis comes at a complex moment for European climate policy as it pivots from a 40% 2030 emissions reduction target to a European Green Deal that is in better alignment with long-term Paris Agreement goals. Here, the implications of the dramatic fall in economic output associated with the crisis are examined using a representative range of growth scenarios. With lower economic activity resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, existing policy measures could achieve the 40% target sooner than 2030. However, we find that even in the most severe economic scenario examined, this falls well short of the 50-55% emissions reduction target under the Green Deal. Maintaining the existing 40% target in 2030 with reduced policy measures on the other hand would move European climate policy away from the required path. This analysis indicates the feasibility of increased climate ambition in the wake of the pandemic and supports the Green Deal 50-55% targets in 2030.
Subjects: 
climate change policy
greenhouse gas emissions
economic recovery
COVID19 economic effects
energy demand
JEL: 
Q50
Q54
Q58
E60
Q43
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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