ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
SEMESTER 1 2025
2025
DUE DATE: 26 MAY 2025
, ECS2606 ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
25 MARCH 2025
Answer ALL the Questions
1. Explain and diagrammatically illustrate the impact that the Covid-19 -
pandemic induced restrictions on economic activities imposed in many
countries across the world in 2020/21 had on the materials balance principle.
The Materials Balance Principle (MBP) is a fundamental concept in environmental
economics that states that the total mass of materials and energy entering an
economic system must equal the total mass of materials and energy leaving the
system. This principle emphasizes that economic activities generate waste and
emissions, which must be managed to ensure sustainability.
Impact of COVID-19-Induced Restrictions on the Materials Balance Principle
During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020/21), governments worldwide imposed strict
lockdowns and restrictions on economic activities. These measures had significant
effects on the input-output relationship in the materials balance framework:
1. Reduction in Industrial Production and Resource Input
Lockdowns led to reduced manufacturing, mining, and construction activities,
resulting in lower demand for raw materials.
Supply chain disruptions limited the extraction, transportation, and processing of
materials.
Energy consumption declined, particularly in transportation and heavy industries.
2. Decrease in Waste and Emissions
With less industrial activity, there was a noticeable reduction in industrial waste and
pollution.
Carbon emissions dropped significantly due to decreased transportation and factory
operations (Le Quéré et al., 2020).
Reduced plas
tic waste from packaging and manufacturing was observed in some sectors.
SEMESTER 1 2025
2025
DUE DATE: 26 MAY 2025
, ECS2606 ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
25 MARCH 2025
Answer ALL the Questions
1. Explain and diagrammatically illustrate the impact that the Covid-19 -
pandemic induced restrictions on economic activities imposed in many
countries across the world in 2020/21 had on the materials balance principle.
The Materials Balance Principle (MBP) is a fundamental concept in environmental
economics that states that the total mass of materials and energy entering an
economic system must equal the total mass of materials and energy leaving the
system. This principle emphasizes that economic activities generate waste and
emissions, which must be managed to ensure sustainability.
Impact of COVID-19-Induced Restrictions on the Materials Balance Principle
During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020/21), governments worldwide imposed strict
lockdowns and restrictions on economic activities. These measures had significant
effects on the input-output relationship in the materials balance framework:
1. Reduction in Industrial Production and Resource Input
Lockdowns led to reduced manufacturing, mining, and construction activities,
resulting in lower demand for raw materials.
Supply chain disruptions limited the extraction, transportation, and processing of
materials.
Energy consumption declined, particularly in transportation and heavy industries.
2. Decrease in Waste and Emissions
With less industrial activity, there was a noticeable reduction in industrial waste and
pollution.
Carbon emissions dropped significantly due to decreased transportation and factory
operations (Le Quéré et al., 2020).
Reduced plas
tic waste from packaging and manufacturing was observed in some sectors.
