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Unequal exposure and unequal impacts

Publication Created 11 Jan 2019 Published 04 Feb 2019
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Unequal exposure and unequal impacts: social vulnerability to air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures in Europe
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Publication Created 11 Jan 2019 Published 04 Feb 2019
EEA Report No 22/2018
Unequal exposure and unequal impacts: social vulnerability to air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures in Europe

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: 978-92-9480-047-3
: TH-AL-18-022-EN-C

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Figures used

Multiple hazards and multiple causes of vulnerability in Europe The map uses a colour gradient to show the number hazards (left) and number of vulnerability causes (right), for which the NUTS2 region is in the top 20% of exposure in Europe
Spatial distribution of exposure to four air pollutants across Europe, 2013-2014 The maps use a colour gradient to show the population-weighted average PM2.5 (top left), PM10 (top right), NO2 (bottom left) and O3 (bottom right) concentrations (µg/m3) by NUTS 3 region, for the years 2013 and 2014. The colour scale varies from dark green representing low values, purple representing high values.
Spatial distribution of extreme temperature indicators across Europe The maps use a colour gradient to show the number of hot summer days (Tmax > 35 °C) per year (1987-2016 average, top left), the number of combined summer days (Tmax > 30 °C) and tropical nights (Tmax > 20 °C) per year (1987-2016 average, top right), the cooling degree days per year (1990-2015 average, bottom left) and the heating degree days per year (1990-2015 average, bottom right).
Number of days with maximum temperature above 35 °C per year mapped against proportion of people with higher education, 2013-2014 The map uses a colour gradient to show the percentage of working age population with higher education per NUTS2 region, classified in quantiles, against the highest exposure to high temperatures (top 20 % of number of days with maximum temperature exceeding 35 °C) represented as hatched areas.
Proportion of the population exposed to average day-evening-night road noise levels (Lden) ≥ 55dB, 2011 This map shows the proportion of the population per country exposed to road traffic noise at or above 55 dB Lden (average day-evening-night noise levels).
Percentage of children under 5 years old in the population, 2013-2014 The map uses a colour gradient to show the percentage of young children in the population
Exposure to ozone SOMO35 mapped against long-term unemployment, 2013-2014 The map uses a colour gradient to show the long-term unemployment rate per NUTS2 region, classified in quantiles, against the highest exposure to O3 pollution represented as hatched areas (only the regions in the top 20 % of O3 exposure are shown as hatched).
Exposure to PM10 mapped against long-term unemployment, 2013-2014 The map uses a colour gradient to show the long-term unemployment rate per NUTS2 region, classified in quantiles, against the highest exposure to PM10 pollution represented as hatched areas (only the top 20 % of PM10 are shown).
Exposure to NO2 mapped against household income, 2013-2014 The map uses a colour gradient to show the average household income per NUTS2 region, classified in quantiles, against the highest exposure to NO2 pollution represented as hatched areas (only the regions in the top 20 % of NO2 exposure are shown as hatched).
Number of fatalities due to extreme temperatures across Europe, 1990-2016 This map presentes the number of people who died as a result of extremely low temperatures and cold weather spells between 1990 and 2016.
Percentage of households unable to keep their home warm in winter and share of population living in a dwelling not comfortably cool in summer These maps show the percentage of households unable to keep their home warm in winter (2016; left) and the share of population living in a dwelling not comfortably cool during summer (2012; right).
Archived
Annual number of cooling degree days (CDDs; 1990-2016 average) mapped against long-term unemployment (left) and proportion of people 75 years old or older (right), 2013-2014 The left map uses a colour gradient to show the long-term unemployment rate per NUTS2 region, classified in quantiles, against the highest number of cooling degree days as hatched areas (only the top 20 % of regions with the highest number of CDDS are shown). The right map uses a colour gradient to show the percentage of the elderly per NUTS2 region, classified in quantiles, against the highest number of cooling degree days represented as hatched areas (only the top 20 % of CDDs are shown).
Archived
Exposure to PM2.5 mapped against GDP per capita, 2013-2014 The map uses a colour gradient to show the GDP per capita per NUTS3 region, classified in quantiles against the highest exposure to PM2.5 pollution represented as hatched areas (only the top 20 % of PM2.5 are shown).
Years of life lost per 100 000 inhabitants attributable to air pollution in European countries, 2015 The maps show the number of years of life lost per country attributable to air pollution (PM 2.5 left, NO2 center and O3 right).

News and articles

A future based on renewable energy Faced with climate change, soaring energy prices and concerns about security of supply, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power seem an obvious way forward. What would it take to transform Europe’s existing energy system into one that is based on renewable sources?
Europe's heatwaves: How to keep buildings cool sustainably? Europe’s temperatures are rising more than twice as fast as the global average with more and more extreme heatwaves being recorded. The demand for sustainable cooling in buildings is increasing and, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published today, there is a need for buildings that are energy efficient, use passive cooling solutions and can protect people from heatwaves and contribute to human health and well-being.
Sustainable cities: transforming Europe’s urban landscapes From carbon neutrality to circular economy, cleaner air to cleaner transport, Europe has set ambitious environmental and climate objectives. Cities, where the large majority of Europeans live, need to play a decisive role in achieving Europe’s sustainability targets. The question is: how can cities become sustainable?
Building the foundations for fundamental change Achieving sustainability will require fundamental, transformative, and cross-cutting change, entailing major shifts in society’s goals, incentives, technologies, social practices and norms, as well as in knowledge systems and governance approaches.
Improving air quality improves people’s health and productivity Europe’s air quality has improved significantly over recent decades but pollutants still harm our health and the environment. Measures to limit pollution would improve our quality of life, save money in healthcare, boost workers’ productivity and protect the environment.
More action needed to protect Europe’s most vulnerable citizens from air pollution, noise and extreme temperatures Targeted action is needed to better protect the poor, the elderly and children from environmental hazards like air and noise pollution and extreme temperatures, especially in Europe’s eastern and southern regions. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today warns that the health of Europe’s most vulnerable citizens remains disproportionately affected by these hazards, despite overall improvements in Europe’s environmental quality.

Related briefings

Cooling buildings sustainably in Europe: exploring the links between climate change mitigation and adaptation, and their social impacts Across Europe, rising temperatures, combined with an ageing population and urbanisation, mean that the population is becoming more vulnerable to heat and that demand for cooling in buildings is rising rapidly. Buildings, as long-lasting structures, can offer protection from heatwaves and high temperatures if appropriately designed, constructed, renovated and maintained. The summer of 2022, with its successive long heatwaves and high energy prices, may have raised the sense of urgency given to the alleviation of heat stress. But there is a gap in knowledge on the extent of overheating in buildings and data and information is scarce regarding the share of EU citizens unable to keep their homes comfortably cool during the summer. This briefing examines key elements of sustainable cooling policy, and its potential impacts on vulnerable groups, by reducing health risks, inequalities and summer energy poverty.
Towards ‘just resilience’: leaving no one behind when adapting to climate change Despite efforts to adapt to climate change in Europe, the most vulnerable groups in society are still the most affected. Projected climate change, an ageing society and persisting socio-economic inequalities mean that differences in vulnerability and exposure to climate change are likely to continue. In addition, adaptation responses may worsen existing inequalities or even create new ones. This briefing looks at how climate change affects vulnerable groups and how these impacts can be prevented or reduced through equitable adaptation actions. It also presents examples of equity-oriented policies and measures from across Europe.

Related publications

See also

Health introduction This section of the zero pollution monitoring assessment examines available knowledge and trends in pollution and associated impacts on health. In addition to this summary assessment page there are sub-sections providing more detailed analysis of air pollution, noise pollution, water pollution, chemical pollution and soil pollution impacts on health. A collection of ‘Signals’ is also provided which highlight emerging issues and other available knowledge on pollution and health.
Air signals This section of the zero pollution monitoring assessment presents a series of short case studies that highlight additional sources of information on the impacts of air pollution on health.
Air Pollution and health This section of the zero pollution monitoring assessment presents available knowledge and trends on air pollution and associated impacts on health, and assesses progress towards achieving relevant zero pollution targets and policy objectives.
Well with Nature - In detail Our relationship with nature - how much we pay attention or care for it - is an important factor in keeping us all emotionally and physically healthy.
Air pollution: how it affects our health Air pollution is a major cause of premature death and disease, and is the single largest environmental health risk in Europe. Latest estimates by the European Environment Agency (EEA) show that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) continues to cause the most substantial health impacts.
Environment and health A clean environment is essential for human health and well-being. At the same time, the local environment can also be a source of stressors - for example air pollution, noise, hazardous chemicals - that negatively affect health. The health of the EU population is also adversely affected by climate change, through heatwaves, floods and changes in the distribution of vector-borne diseases. At a broader level, climate change, loss of biodiversity, and land degradation can also impact on human well-being by threatening the delivery of ecosystem services, such as access to freshwater and food production.

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