Environmental Footprint of COVID-19

Objectives: This scoping review aims to systematically assess the environmental footprint of the COVID-19 pandemic across multiple ecological domains. It investigates the pandemic's short- and long-term impacts on air quality, waste generation, energy consumption, water systems, biodiversity, marine environments, and noise pollution, while identifying policy challenges and opportunities for sustainable recovery. Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR framework, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Studies published from December 2019 to April 2025 were screened for empirical evidence on COVID-19’s environmental effects. Out of 495 initial records, 86 peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized thematically across seven environmental domains. Results: Findings indicate that air pollution levels, particularly NO₂ and CO₂, significantly declined during global lockdowns, improving urban air quality. Marine and freshwater ecosystems experienced short-term rejuvenation, while underwater and urban noise pollution dropped markedly. However, the surge in medical and single-use plastic waste overwhelmed waste management systems. Energy consumption dropped across all fossil fuels, while renewable energy gained traction. Water demand rose due to increased hygiene practices, exposing WASH inequalities. Biodiversity temporarily recovered but suffered from funding cuts, poaching, and conservation setbacks. Conclusion: The environmental impacts of COVID-19 were both beneficial and detrimental. While temporary ecological recovery was observed, most gains were unsustainable without policy reform. The pandemic underscores the urgent need for structural changes in environmental governance, waste systems, energy transition, and biodiversity conservation to ensure long-term planetary health and resilience.