Escalating environmental inequalities in larger European regions: A data mining

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Spatial Analysis
• Public Policy

Background:

• Environmental inequality is a growing concern for European scientists and policymakers.
• Existing research highlights disparities in environmental quality across regions.
• A comprehensive, multiscale database is needed to analyze these inequalities effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multiscale, multivariate database on environmental inequality in Europe.
• To provide researchers with data on exposure to air pollution, land surface temperature, and vegetation.
• To facilitate the comparison and mapping of environmental inequalities across different NUTS region levels.

Main Methods:

• The database utilizes population-weighted averages and Gini coefficients.
• Data is analyzed across four European NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) region levels (NUTS 0-3).
• Exposure metrics include nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), summer land surface temperature (LST), and vegetation cover.

Main Results:

• The database quantifies environmental inequalities related to specific hazards and services.
• It allows for the identification of NUTS levels exhibiting the highest and lowest environmental inequality.
• Histograms and maps are provided to illustrate the database's application and findings.

Conclusions:

• The developed database offers a valuable resource for studying environmental inequalities in Europe.
• It enables a nuanced understanding of how environmental burdens and benefits are distributed spatially.
• The findings support evidence-based policymaking for achieving greater environmental justice.