Political environment and the uneven geography of carbon inequality in the EU
Articles > Article · 2026
Authors: Özge KOZAL, Çağla BUCAK, Daniel Balsalobre Lorente
SPATIAL ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, Journal Indexed in SSCI, International, Social Sciences Citation Index, 2026, vol 1, pp 1-21
DOI: 0.1080/17421772.2026.2718362
Summary
<p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">This study examines the determinants of carbon inequality (CI) across EU member states from 1995 to 2022, emphasising political factors and spatial interdependencies. Using spatial econometric techniques with Euclidean distance, five-nearest-neighbour and trade-based weight matrices, we document strong spatial dependence in CI, with emission disparities extending beyond national borders through direct and indirect spillover effects. Sustainable development, population density and trade openness reduce CI domestically and regionally, whereas fossil fuel consumption, industrial competitiveness, corruption and political globalisation exacerbate it. Notably, all dimensions of corruption – public sector, political and executive – amplify carbon disparities, underscoring the critical role of governance quality. These findings highlight that an effective green transition requires integrating spatial interdependencies and strengthening political institutions to address carbon inequality across the EU.</span></p>