Disrupting COVID-19 by Improving Environmental Performance

Abstract

This paper provides evidence that increasing environmental quality can mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by producing natural antibodies. Using recent data from the 2020 Environmental Performance Index for more than 70 countries, our findings validate the effectiveness of lockdown policies in preventing outbreaks. The results are robust across econometric techniques as well as across the environmental proxy variables adopted. We also suggest implementing specific reforms to strengthen ecological performance.