Monetary quantification of COVID-19 impacts on sustainable development goals: Focus on air pollution and climate change

COVID-19 epidemic struck without warning, wreaking havoc on all aspects of society. The chapter discusses the quantification of impacts of COVID-19-induced control strategies and restricted resource consumption on sustainable development goals (SDGs), focusing on SDG-3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and SDG-13 (Climate Action). The impacts of reduced PM(2.5) emission are monitored using moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data for India (2020–21) and the reduction in the morbidity and mortality is valued using the cost of illness (COI), disability-adjusted life years (DALY), and value of statistical life (VSL). The reported reduction of CO(2)e emissions of about 40% during the year, in the cities, is quantified for the country and monetized using the regional values of the social cost of carbon (SCC). The chapter also lays a framework for quantifying and valuing such impacts related to other SDGs and can be used by policymakers for implementation and quantified decision-making.