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An Empirical Analysis of Environmental and Climate Inequalities across Italian census tracts

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  • Alessandra Drigo

    (University of Milan, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, and Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei)

Abstract

This study offers the first analysis of environmental and climate inequalities at the census tract level in Italy, providing valuable insights into spatial patterns of environmental and social vulnerability. The results highlight significant environmental inequality related to exposure to air pollution (PM2.5), as well as climate inequality linked to thermal discomfort (measured by the Discomfort Index). Among all regions, the Padana Valley stands out as the most severely affected by both stressors, marking its population as particularly vulnerable regardless of their socioeconomic status. At the national level, the analysis identifies a negative correlation between exposure to environmental stressors and income proxies, and a positive correlation with the presence of non-European foreign residents. These associations remain robust even when the focus shifts to census tracts within the same municipality, suggesting that environmental and social inequalities persist not only across regions but also within local urban contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandra Drigo, 2025. "An Empirical Analysis of Environmental and Climate Inequalities across Italian census tracts," Working Papers 2025.12, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    • Handle: RePEc:fem:femwpa:2025.12
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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