The Climate Risk Index 2025 reveals that India ranks among the top ten nations severely affected by extreme weather events from 1993 to 2022, resulting in significant fatalities and economic losses. Globally, these events have led to approximately 800,000 deaths and USD 4.2 trillion in damages, emphasizing the need for increased climate finance and urgent action against the climate crisis.
According to the Climate Risk Index 2025 published by Germanwatch, India ranks among the top ten countries most severely affected by climate-related extreme weather events from 1993 to 2022. Dominica, China, and Honduras are the countries highlighted as the most affected, with India joining Myanmar, Italy, and others on the list of highly impacted nations.
During this period, India faced numerous catastrophic weather events such as floods and heatwaves, including significant floods in 1993, 1998, and 2013, as well as severe heatwaves in 2002, 2003, and 2015. The report indicates that India experienced over 400 extreme weather occurrences, resulting in an estimated USD 180 billion in economic losses and at least 80,000 fatalities.
Specific examples of devastating weather incidents in India encompass the 1998 Gujarat cyclone, the 1999 Odisha cyclone, and recurring intense heat waves with temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius recorded in 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2015, leading to significant loss of life. The report also underscores that countries like China, the Philippines, and Pakistan are continuously threatened by extreme weather, exacerbated by the climate crisis.
Globally, extreme weather events have resulted in nearly 800,000 deaths and incurred damages worth approximately USD 4.2 trillion over the past 30 years. The analysis reveals that countries in the Global South have been disproportionately impacted by these events, which tend to escalate the economic and human toll on vulnerable populations.
The findings stem from extreme weather data compiled by the International Disaster Database (Em-dat) along with socioeconomic information sourced from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The report also includes developed nations like Italy and Spain among those affected.
Laura Schaefer, Head of Division for International Climate Policy at Germanwatch, emphasized, “The climate crisis is increasingly becoming a global security risk and must be addressed with bold multilateral actions.” She pointed out that countries in the Global South face severe repercussions from extreme weather events and that additional data from these regions would likely reveal even greater suffering.
Further, the report highlights that available climate finance to address the impacts of extreme weather is insufficient. It notes the failure of COP29 in Baku to establish an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on Climate Finance, deeming the goal of USD 300 billion annually by 2035 merely a minimal response to urgent climate challenges.
David Eckstein, Senior Advisor for Climate Finance and Investments at Germanwatch, stated, “High-income and high-emission countries must recognize the urgency of accelerating mitigation efforts.” He warned that unless investment in mitigation and adaptation escalates, the future human and economic costs will be staggering.
The Climate Risk Index 2025 underscores the significant threat posed by extreme weather events, highlighting the disproportionate impact on countries like India and others in the Global South. The findings emphasize the urgent need for increased climate finance to address these challenges and enhance mitigation efforts by high-emission nations. With the escalating frequency and severity of such events, addressing climate change is critical for global security and human well-being.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
