Unprivileged groups are less served by green cooling services in major European urban areas

Abstract

Heat stress is the leading climate-related cause of premature deaths in Europe. Major heatwaves have struck Europe recently and are expected to increase in magnitude and length. Large cities are particularly threatened due to the urban morphology and imperviousness. Green spaces mitigate heat, providing cooling services through shade provision and evapotranspiration. However, the distribution of green cooling and the population most affected are often unknown. Here we reveal environmental injustice regarding green cooling in 14 major European urban areas. Vulnerable residents in Europe are not concentrated in the suburbs but in run-down central areas that coincide with low-cooling regions. In all studied areas, lower-income residents, tenants, immigrants and unemployed citizens receive below-average green cooling, while upper-income residents, nationals and homeowners experience above-average cooling provision. The fatality risk during extreme heatwaves may increase as vulnerable residents are unable to afford passive or active cooling mitigation. This study estimates the green cooling distribution and the population most exposed to heat in 14 major European areas. It found that lower-income residents, immigrants and unemployed residents are more vulnerable compared with upper-income residents, nationals and homeowners.