• climate change inequality
• Gini index of inequality

In recent times, the causes and environmental impacts of climate change - initially discussed exclusively in the scientific arena – are progressively turning into key priorities in national and international political agendas and are receiving more and more attention by media and public opinion. Growing evidence suggests that changes in the climate system are contributing to a range of socio-economic impacts that are already affecting the economy. However, the impact on economic inequalities has received few attentions.
Whit a view to better understanding this phenomenon, this dissertation seeks to explore the complex nexus between climate change and inequality. This is accomplished by checking whether the Gini income inequality index, for 160 countries over the time period 1962-2010, has responded to changes in growth (GDP) and temperature.
It has been found that temperature changes may slow the reduction of inequalities due to its impact on economic activity. The most affected are the countries in the middle of the per capita GDP percentile distribution.
Source of data of the Gini index of inequality is the Standardized World Income Inequality Database, source on per capita Gross Domestic Product is the World Banks’ World Development Indicators database. Temperature and precipitation data are taken from Matsuura and Willmot database.