Partner Sites


Logo BusinessBecause - The business school voice
mobile search icon

How COVID-19 Has Accelerated Interest In Environmental Issues

Electric vehicle sales and renewable energy demand have surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s how it has accelerated interest in environmental issues

By  Simon Lovick

Fri Aug 14 2020

BusinessBecause  

1

The Tesla Model 3—the high tech, electric sedan car from the Californian electric vehicle startup Tesla. And in April and May 2020, the best-selling car in the UK. 

The market share of electric vehicles (EV) has surged during the COVID-19 pandemic to a record-high of 3% globally. It’s as high as 17% in countries like the UK.

This phenomenon doesn’t stop at cars. Demand for renewable energy and clean technologies has increased during the pandemic. In the first 10 weeks of lockdown, while global energy demand dropped by 8%, the US saw renewable energy consumption increase by 40%. India saw a 45% increase. 

Environmental issues have dominated the agenda and emerged from the rubble of 2020 with renewed importance and urgency. COVID-19 been a catalyst for interest in environmental issues in three ways.


It has changed our attitude towards environmental issues


In most cases, reducing your carbon footprint during the lockdown hasn’t been a choice. International flights have ground to a halt, driving has been limited to short and necessary excursions, and many of the global supply chains that contribute to carbon emissions have been disrupted.

It seems for many, changing consumer behaviors around the environment has been an active choice: a result of a change in attitude.

The pandemic has shown the disruptive impact of business. Global supply chains and international travel may have sped up the spread of the virus, and contribute to an increase in carbon emissions. This is perhaps registering for many people business’s association with the increasing threat of climate change.


43d019a22bc06d870c6638bb4319607feb7cdd05.png

Source: World Economic Forum, International Energy Agency


Student Reviews

Imperial College Business School

Sakshi

Verified

5/11/2023

On Campus

Innovative, Immersive and an Excellent Curriculum

The MSc Strategic Marketing course opens many avenues into the business world at Imperial. The coursework consists of group-based assignments, individual reports, and sometimes, examinations. The Careers team helps you with your CV, Cover letters, and other job application support. Imperial truly lives up to its name!

Shiyun

Verified

19/05/2020

Very applicable courses

I enjoyed studying here for my master degree as I could feel that I was surrounded by very clever people, and I did learn a lot of knowledge that I could directly put into use into my current internship

Student

Verified

9/05/2020

Diversity and Professional Development

Imperial College London is an innovation hub with expertise across multiple industries. The international student body exposes students to endless cultures and experiences. Furthermore, the Careers team at Imperial is second to none as directors help guide students to the career paths of their dreams.

Student

Verified

20/04/2018

Business School

Imperial college business school has amazing facilities, amazing staff. I particularly like the business school cafe although it would be nice if they added a few more power sockets in the open space and heating for winter. The course is really good too. Very interactive classes and highly diverse environment.

Student

Verified

8/07/2020

Career Services

Very strong university with good quality faculty and a very strong career services team that prepared students well for the jobs market. Very nice facilities in the city center. Good sessions organised with employers.

Student

Verified

29/05/2020

Chinese students majored in English- now strategic marketing

My undergraduate major was English back in China and now an MSc student in strategic marketing at Imperial. For Chinese students who share similar experiences with me, you can get as much/deep as you want about marketing with some challenging group works and inspiring lectures. At the same time, if you just want to get the degree anyway with less effort, it's possible as well... ...

RECAPTHA :

98

c0

da

a2