Climate change threatens to deepen income inequality and poverty in Cyprus

A recent study published in the scientific journal Global Environmental Change reveals that heatwaves and droughts are disproportionately affecting low-income households across Europe, with Cyprus experiencing impacts slightly above the European Union average. Researchers, including lead author Jessie Schleypen from Humboldt University of Berlin, note that climate-related events are set to exacerbate financial inequality, potentially leading to a 54% loss in future income for vulnerable groups in Cyprus.

Data from the past two decades indicates that low-income households in Europe have lost 2.7% more income than wealthier counterparts due to extreme weather, largely because they reside in more exposed areas and lack the resources to invest in energy efficiency. Experts warn that if global warming reaches 2.7 degrees Celsius, the poverty rate in Cyprus could climb to 49% by the end of the century unless significant adaptation measures are implemented.