Publication detail

COVID-19 pandemics Stage II – Energy and environmental impacts of vaccination

Klemeš, J.J., Jiang, P., Fan, Y.V., Bokhari, A., Wang, X.-C.

Original Title

COVID-19 pandemics Stage II – Energy and environmental impacts of vaccination

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic developed the severest public health event in recent history. The first stage for defence has already been documented. This paper moves forward to contribute to the second stage for offensive by assessing the energy and environmental impacts related to vaccination. The vaccination campaign is a multidisciplinary topic incorporating policies, population behaviour, planning, manufacturing, materials supporting, cold-chain logistics and waste treatment. The vaccination for pandemic control in the current phase is prioritised over other decisions, including energy and environmental issues. This study documents that vaccination should be implemented in maximum sustainable ways. The energy and related emissions of a single vaccination are not massive; however, the vast numbers related to the worldwide production, logistics, disinfection, implementation and waste treatment are reaching significant figures. The preliminary assessment indicates that the energy is at the scale of ~1.08 × 1010 kWh and related emissions of ~5.13 × 1012 gCO2eq when embedding for the envisaged 1.56 × 1010 vaccine doses. The cold supply chain is estimated to constitute 69.8% of energy consumption of the vaccination life cycle, with an interval of 26–99% depending on haul distance. A sustainable supply chain model that responds to an emergency arrangement, considering equality as well, should be emphasised to mitigate vaccination's environmental footprint. This effort plays a critical role in preparing for future pandemics, both environmentally and socially. Research in exploring sustainable single-use or reusable materials is also suggested to be a part of the plans. Diversified options could offer higher flexibility in mitigating environmental footprint even during the emergency and minimise the potential impact of material disruption or dependency. © 2021

Keywords

Cold supply chain; COVID-19 vaccination campaigns; Energy and emissions; Environmental impact; Interdisciplinary analysis; Sustainability

Authors

Klemeš, J.J., Jiang, P., Fan, Y.V., Bokhari, A., Wang, X.-C.

Released

1. 10. 2021

Publisher

Elsevier Ltd.

Location

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTDTHE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND

ISBN

1364-0321

Periodical

RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS

Number

150

State

United States of America

Pages from

111400

Pages to

111400

Pages count

13

URL

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032121006857?via%3Dihub

BibTex

@article{BUT172028,
  author="Jiří {Klemeš} and Yee Van {Fan} and Syed Awais Ali Shah {Bokhari}",
  title="COVID-19 pandemics Stage II – Energy and environmental impacts of vaccination",
  journal="RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS",
  year="2021",
  number="150",
  pages="111400--111400",
  doi="10.1016/j.rser.2021.111400",
  issn="1364-0321",
  url="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032121006857?via%3Dihub"
}