A Comparative Analysis of COVID-19 Effects on air Pollution in Ten EU Cities in 2020

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Published: Dec 29, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/hapscpbs.26494
Keywords:
Air pollution COVID-19 Environmental effects Lockdown Nitrogen Dioxide Particulate Matter
Michail Melidis
University of Exeter; Hellenic Association of Political Scientists
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0042-4001
Stylianos Ioannis Tzagkarakis
University of Crete; Hellenic Association of Political Scientists
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9393-8991
Abstract

The global pandemic has arguably induced many dramatic changes at all levels worldwide. The occurrence of some silver linings on the environment brought about a glimmer of hope and optimism. However, these are seen as rather short-lived and temporary mainly linked to lower economic output and the imposition of restrictive measures by the national governments to contain the spreading of the coronavirus. In such a context, the restart of the economy plausibly raises many concerns about the durability of those in the long run. An environmental sector that has attracted particular attention is air pollution which has seen significant improvements in urban centers and most polluted cities during the pandemic. Evidence shows that air pollution in the EU has decreased in 2020 as a result of reduced consumption of fossil fuels, road transport, lower economic output, and industrial activity, however, strong signs of retreat to pre-coronavirus levels are observed. The aim of this policy brief is to examine the effects of COVID-19 on air pollution by breaking down and comparing the average concentrations of three pollutants, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5), and (PM10), per month in ten major European cities in 2020 with the use of data from the European Environment Agency.

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Author Biographies
Michail Melidis, University of Exeter; Hellenic Association of Political Scientists
Dr. Michail Melidis is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Exeter (UK). His work and research interests are focused on the analysis and implementation of environmental policies in EU, Greece, and the UK.
Stylianos Ioannis Tzagkarakis, University of Crete; Hellenic Association of Political Scientists

Dr. Stylianos Ioannis Tzagkarakis is Teaching Fellow on Comparative Public Policy and Postdoctoral Researcher (with scholarship from the State Scholarships Foundation-IKY) at the Department of Political Science of the University of Crete, Greece. He is Field Manager of the Centre for Human Rights (KEADIK) of the University of Crete, Deputy Director of the Scientific Council of the Hellenic Association of Political Scientists (HAPSc) and Member of the Steering Committee of the ECPR Political Culture Research Network.

References
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