Carbon dioxide sensors in two urban areas registered big drop in emissions during COVID-19 pandemic

Read the full story from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Carbon dioxide emissions in Los Angeles and the Washington DC/Baltimore regions fell roughly 33 percent in April of 2020 compared with previous years, as roads emptied and economic activity slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. But while the emissions reductions are significant, the method that scientists used to measure them may have the greater long-term impact…

In addition, a second study indicated that U.S. cities often underestimate their emissions when using bottom-up methods alone. A third study showed that combining bottom-up with top-down methods increases accuracy.