Steep fall in emissions during coronavirus is no cause for celebration

Brief hiatus will make little difference to catastrophic levels of global heating, experts say

• Lockdowns trigger dramatic fall in global carbon emissions
• Coronavirus - latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

The sudden sharp fall in greenhouse gas emissions recorded in the early part of this year may seem like an environmental blessing, a breathing space as the world fights climate breakdown. Skies clear of aeroplanes and streets free of cars have encouraged the return of nature and brought visions of a cleaner world.

Carbon dioxide emissions had fallen by 17% on average by early April, according to a definitive study published in Nature Climate Change on Tuesday, as a result of the lockdown measures put in place around the world to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.