Developing an Environmental Justice Index for Small Island States: The Case of Malta

Maria-Stella Portelli, Elisabeth Conrad and Charles Galdies
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Maria-Stella Portelli: Institute of Earth Systems, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta
Elisabeth Conrad: Institute of Earth Systems, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta
Charles Galdies: Institute of Earth Systems, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-20

Abstract: By focusing predominantly on cities or larger regions, environmental justice (EJ) studies have tended to overlook the challenges faced by small island states. This study explores the feasibility of constructing an EJ index for Malta, as a case study of these territories. EJ issues were identified by consulting relevant literature and local experts. Based on this, five environmental variables (air pollution, noise pollution, lack of greenery, overcrowding and overdevelopment, and proximity to locally unwanted land uses) and three social variables (education, unemployment, and health) were selected for inclusion in the index. For the identified variables, indicators were chosen and calculated for each locality, while using a Geographic Information System to process and visualize spatial data. Cumulative environmental burden and social vulnerability scores were calculated based on quintile ranking of indicators. After normalization, cumulative scores were aggregated to derive the EJ index. The preliminary evaluation of EJ distribution in Malta demonstrated significant spatial differences. A statistically significant positive correlation of moderate strength between cumulative environmental burden and social vulnerability scores showed that EJ issues are present in Malta, notwithstanding its small size. Despite limitations, this exploratory index provides a basis for further EJ research in small island states.

Keywords: spatial analysis; geographic information systems; GIS; composite indicator; Maltese islands; environmental burden; social vulnerability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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