Are natural disasters stumbling blocks to carbon inequality mitigation? A global perspective
基于2000-2020年140个国家的数据，研究发现自然灾害会加剧碳排放不平等，尤其在低收入国家，政府低效会强化这一效应，而能源基础设施和可再生能源发展是中介渠道。
The detrimental impact of natural disasters on inequality is evident, yet their influence on the inequality of carbon emissions remains underexplored. Addressing this gap is crucial, as understanding the relationship between natural disasters and carbon inequality can inform more equitable climate policies. To this end, we performed an econometric investigation on the impact of natural disasters on carbon inequality, based on a global dataset covering 140 countries during 2000–2020. The system generalized method of moments model is utilized, and we also delve into the heterogeneous analysis, as well as the mediating and the moderating effects. Our numerical analysis yields four key findings. First, natural disasters are stumbling blocks to carbon inequality eradication, which means that natural disasters are not conducive to mitigating carbon inequality, but rather amplify it. Second, this adverse effect is more pronounced in low-income countries. Third, government ineffectiveness not only heightens carbon inequality but also intensifies the negative impact of natural disasters, demonstrating a synergic effect. Fourth, energy infrastructure and renewable energy development are two channels that link natural disasters with carbon inequality. These findings underscore the necessity of targeted policy interventions to mitigate carbon inequality and reduce the adverse consequences of natural disasters. • This paper investigates the impact of natural disasters on carbon inequality. • Natural disasters deteriorate the situation of carbon inequality. • Natural disasters show a stronger effect on increasing carbon inequality in low-income countries. • Government ineffectiveness further reinforces the positive impact of natural disasters on carbon inequality. • Natural disasters indirectly affect carbon inequality through inhibiting energy infrastructure and renewable energy.