ECS2606 Assignment 1
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025 (253465 ) -
DUE 24 March 2025
FOR ANY INQUIRY CONTACT:
, ECS2606 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester 1 2025 (253465 ) - DUE
24 March 2025
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. [10]
The Materials Balance Principle (MBP) is a fundamental concept in
environmental economics, stating that the mass of materials entering an economic
system must equal the mass of materials exiting it, either as useful output (goods
and services) or waste (pollution and emissions). The Covid-19 pandemic-induced
restrictions on economic activities in 2020/21 disrupted this balance in several
ways.
Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions on the Materials Balance Principle:
1. Reduction in Industrial Output: Lockdowns and supply chain disruptions
led to a decrease in the extraction, processing, and manufacturing of
materials. This reduced the inflow of raw materials into the economic
system.
2. Lower Consumption Levels: Many businesses shut down, and consumer
spending declined, leading to a decrease in demand for goods, further
affecting the production cycle.
3. Reduction in Waste and Pollution: As production and transportation
slowed, there was a noticeable decline in emissions, waste generation, and
industrial pollution.
4. Increase in Medical and Hazardous Waste: While general industrial
waste declined, medical waste (e.g., PPE, test kits, and vaccines) surged,
affecting waste disposal systems.
5. Supply Chain Disruptions: Restrictions on movement and trade affected
global supply chains, leading to material shortages and inefficiencies in
distribution.
6. Shifts in Energy Consumption: Reduced industrial activity led to lower
fossil fuel demand, altering energy material flows.
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025 (253465 ) -
DUE 24 March 2025
FOR ANY INQUIRY CONTACT:
, ECS2606 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester 1 2025 (253465 ) - DUE
24 March 2025
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. [10]
The Materials Balance Principle (MBP) is a fundamental concept in
environmental economics, stating that the mass of materials entering an economic
system must equal the mass of materials exiting it, either as useful output (goods
and services) or waste (pollution and emissions). The Covid-19 pandemic-induced
restrictions on economic activities in 2020/21 disrupted this balance in several
ways.
Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions on the Materials Balance Principle:
1. Reduction in Industrial Output: Lockdowns and supply chain disruptions
led to a decrease in the extraction, processing, and manufacturing of
materials. This reduced the inflow of raw materials into the economic
system.
2. Lower Consumption Levels: Many businesses shut down, and consumer
spending declined, leading to a decrease in demand for goods, further
affecting the production cycle.
3. Reduction in Waste and Pollution: As production and transportation
slowed, there was a noticeable decline in emissions, waste generation, and
industrial pollution.
4. Increase in Medical and Hazardous Waste: While general industrial
waste declined, medical waste (e.g., PPE, test kits, and vaccines) surged,
affecting waste disposal systems.
5. Supply Chain Disruptions: Restrictions on movement and trade affected
global supply chains, leading to material shortages and inefficiencies in
distribution.
6. Shifts in Energy Consumption: Reduced industrial activity led to lower
fossil fuel demand, altering energy material flows.
