ldwide disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous impacts on the environment and the climate. The considerable decline in planned travel[2] has caused many regions to experience a large drop in air pollution. In China, lockdowns and other measures resulted in a 25 per cent reduction in CARBON emissions[3] and 50 per cent reduction in nitrogen oxides emissions,[4] which one Earth systems scientist estimated may have saved at least 77,000 lives over two months.[5][6] Other positive impacts on the environment include governance-system-controlled investments towards a sustainable ENERGY transition and other goals related to environmental protection such as the EUROPEAN Union's seven-year €1 trillion budget proposal and €750 billion RECOVERY plan "Next Generation EU" which seeks to reserve 25% of EU spending for climate-friendly expenditure.[7][8][9][10][11]However, the outbreak has also provided cover for illegal ACTIVITIES such as deforestation of the Amazon rainforest[12][13] and poaching in Africa,[14][15] hindered environmental diplomacy efforts,[16] and created economic fallout that some predict will slow investment in green energy technologies.[17]