CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLIMATE POVERTY IN TUNISIA: FRESH EVIDENCE FROM A SPATIAL ECONOMETRIC APPROACH

Abstract

The purpose of this paper aims to assess the implicit of climate poverty in Tunisia. Using a novel spatial econometric approach, this research presents the relationship between precipitation, temperature, and poverty of governorate and those of neighboring governorates. Our results of spatial modeling reveal that the climate change as well as precipitation and temperature have a direct and indirect impact on poverty, thus shows the presence of spatial autocorrelation and spillover effects between governorates. Results shows that the unemployment increase the poverty in the governorate i and neighboring governorate at i. Our results join empirical literature that find a negative direct and indirect effects of education and urbanization on poverty, while consumption expenditure and regional investment have a positive impact on poverty. The results of this paper call for policymakers to take urgent measures and appropriate policies to reduce climate poverty in Tunisia.