Multiple environmental inequalities between Global South and Global North in over 10,000 urban centers

Our study aims to assess multiple environmental inequalities between Global South and Global North in over 10,000 urban centers. Three environmental indicators: greenness, air-pollution (PM _2.5 ), CO ₂ emissions are used, representing three differently environmental roles to society and human health (contribution (benefit), victmisation (harm) and destruction (cost)). The relative status and change of these three indicators from 2000 to 2015 are assessed. Our findings indicate that the CO₂ emissions in Global North is more than twice those in the Global South, whereas the mean PM₂.₅ concentration is less than half, reflecting significantly higher environmental destruction (indicated by CO₂ emissions) but lower environmental victimization (indicated by PM₂.₅). Global South and Global North exhibit similar trends in greenness but have different causes with a luxury effect in Global North. The socio-economy plays a dominant role in environmental development in Global North while both socio-economic and natural endowments in Global South.