When cooling becomes a luxury

Climate change does not affect everyone equally. The data reveals a clear divide: wealthy countries such as Luxembourg, Denmark and Germany are in the top left-hand quadrant, where incomes are high and the need for cooling is low. The situation is exactly the opposite in the south. Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Cyprus have the highest number of cooling degree days, meaning the greatest need for air conditioning, whilst also having significantly lower incomes. Those who need cooling the most are often those who can least afford it. As temperatures rise, this air-conditioning gap is likely to become even more significant.