Corporate Carbon Footprint Environmental Quality and Combating the Covid-19 Pandemic (US Example)

Abstract

Objective: Developed countries with high use of fossil fuels in production can harm the environment by contributing more to the formation of greenhouse gases on a global scale. In this context, it has been emphasized that they have caused an increase in Covid-19 cases. Thus, it was desired to present a different perspective to policymakers in the fight against the virus. Methods: This research comprises the United States. The relationship between Coal Industry CO2 (CCO), Natural Gas Industry CO2 (NCO), Power Industry CO2 (ECO), Petroleum Industry CO2 (OCO), and Covid-19 cases (COV) variables is discussed. Monthly data for the period 2019-2021 were used. The data were compiled from World Health Organization and Our World in Data web resources. In the analyses, the ARDL Boundary Test model was used to capture long and short term causality relationships. Results: In general, it shows that fossil energy sources such as coal, oil, electricity and natural gas used in industries play an important role in the increase of Covid-19 cases. Among these energy sources, coal is the one that causes the most effect. Coal is followed by oil, electricity and natural gas, respectively. Accordingly, a 1% change in the US economy due to coal used in production leads to a 1.03% change in Covid-19 cases. Similarly, the effect of oil on Covid-19 cases is 0.61%. The impact of industries using electrical energy based on fossil fuels in their production in Covid-19 cases is 0.26%. It has been determined that the fossil fuel energy source with the least effect with a change of 0.069% in Covid-19 cases is natural gas. Conclusions: The findings revealed that the increase in fossil fuels used in industries during the relevant period adversely affected air quality and Covid-19 cases. The increase in the number of cases affects the health sector more than other sectors. If these data are associated with energy sources used in industries (fossil fuels) in the future, they will contribute to the creation of public policies that encourage a new generation of energy sources in production.

Keywords

• ARDL Bound Test
• Covid-19 Pandemic
• Coporate Corbon Footprint
• Greenhause Gas
• US

Kurumsal Karbon Ayak İzi Çevre Kalitesi ve Covid-19 Salgını ile Mücadele (ABD Örneği)

Abstract

Amaç: Üretimde fosil yakıt kullanımının yüksek olduğu gelişmiş ülkeler, global ölçekte sera gazı oluşumuna daha fazla katkı yaparak çevreye zarar verebilmektedir. Bu bağlamda Covid-19 vakalarında artışa neden oldukları vurgulanmak istenmiştir. Böylece virüsle mücadelede politika yapıcılara farklı bir bakış açısı sunulmak istenmiştir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu araştırma Amerika Birleşik Devletleri'ni kapsamaktadır. Kömür Endüstrisi CO2 (CCO), Doğal Gaz Endüstrisi CO2 (NCO), Enerji Endüstrisi CO2 (ECO), Petrol Endüstrisi CO2 (OCO) ile Covid-19 vakaları (COV) arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir. 2019-2021 dönemine ait aylık veriler kullanılmıştır. Veriler Dünya Sağlık Örgütü ve Our World in Data web sitelerinden derlenmiştir. Analizlerde uzun ve kısa dönem nedensellik ilişkilerini yakalamaya yarayan ARDL Sınır Testi modeli kullanılmıştır.. Bulgular:Genel olarak sonuçlar, endüstrilerde kullanılan kömür, petrol, elektrik ve doğal gaz gibi fosil enerji kaynaklarının Covid-19 vakalarının artışında önemli bir rol oynadığını göstermektedir. Bunlardan en fazla etkiye sebep olan kömürdür. Kömürü sırasıyla, petrol, elektrik ve doğal gaz takip etmektedir. Buna göre, ABD ekonomisinde üretimde kullanılan kömüre bağlı %1’lik bir değişim Covid-19 vakalarında % 1,03’lük değişime yol açmaktadır. Benzer şekilde petrolün Covid-19 vakaları üzerindeki etkisi % 0,61’dir. Üretiminde fosil yakıtlara bağlı elektrik enerjisi kullanan endüstrilerin Covid-19 vakalarına etkisi %0,26 düzeyindedir. Covid-19 vakalarında % 0,069’luk değişimle en az etkiye sahip olan fosil yakıt enerji kaynağı doğal gaz olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç: Sonuç olarak, ilgili dönem boyunca endüstirlerde kullanılan fosil yakıtlardaki artşın hava kalitesini ve Covid-19 vakalarını olumsuz etkilediği yönündedir. Vaka sayısındaki artış diğer sektörlerden farklı olarak sağlık sektörünü daha fazla etkilemektedir. Bu veriler ilerleyen süreçte endüstrilerde kullanılan enerji kaynakları (fosil yakıtlar) ile ilişkilendirilirse, üretimde yeni model enerji kaynaklarını teşvik eden kamu politikaları oluşturulmasına katkı sağlayacaktır.

Keywords

• Covid-19 Salgını
• Kurumsal Karbon Ayak İzi
• Sera Gazı
• ARDL Sınır Testi

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