As the spread of the coronavirus begins to slow, many countries around the world are starting to ease their lockdown measures and begin their path to recovery.
However, as many strive for a return to normality, there are growing concerns that the positive impact on climate change seen over the past few months may quickly reverse.
This leads nicely on to the question of whether or not a new ‘normal’ should be what we strive toward. Survey results from Utility Trade Group suggest that the public are now more receptive to the idea of preventing climate change following COVID-19:
The question surrounding change may not be so simple, however, as social distancing measures are expected to remain for the foreseeable future. At the peak of lockdown, global CO2 emissions saw a 17% drop, but many fear that this may be higher than before the crisis now the lockdown is over, as people turn to personal transport over the use of public transport.
Our survey results support this theory too:
As the UK is set to head towards the ‘net zero’ goal by 2050, the global pandemic has provided an opportunity to bring this date forward and strive for change much earlier than previously set out. It’s a difficult sell to push change so early, especially after many of us have faced a difficult few months – but as the first survey shows, there is support for a sustained drive.
Once we settle back into the more regular day to day activities, a clearer picture will emerge of the climate change impact both during and after the three month period that saw the biggest change. At that point, the difference can be measured, but it may also be too late to push for a wider change. Now is the perfect time to push and encourage a reduced reliance on our vehicles – if the goal is to improve ‘normal’, the continued and renewed focus on climate change needs to be capitalised on, whilst some measures are still in place.
The next stages have already been made clear, with international travel next on the list of things to get underway again. As businesses reopen, we may also see reports of coal power being relied upon once again after months of low to zero reliance. The consumer mindset had been swayed during the pandemic, but whether or not that changing mindset is permanent or not will now be tested.
One thing remains clear – if we are to achieve our net-zero goal, normal needs to change. We need a new normal with a strong, collective desire for change – something that we are strong advocates of here at Utility Trade Group. Our solutions are perfect for the holistic approach required to drive longer term sustainability – so get in touch today if we can help.
