The Climate Risk Index 2025 by Germanwatch exposes the urgent need for enhanced climate resilience, detailing the severe impacts of climate change on countries like Pakistan. Emphasizing significant economic and human costs tied to inaction, the report identifies critical vulnerabilities and advocates for substantial investments in adaptive measures. It also highlights the interplay between climate change and security, necessitating integrated strategies from local to global levels.
The latest Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025, published by Germanwatch in February 2025, highlights the growing impacts of climate change and the necessity for improved resilience measures. Covering data from 1993 to 2022 based on annual averages, the CRI assesses the effects of extreme climate events on countries, identifying those most challenged by isolated vs. recurring extreme incidents, with Pakistan among those facing ongoing climate hazards.
Inaction regarding climate change has resulted in significant human and economic costs, with over 765,000 deaths globally and nearly $4.2 trillion in damages from frequent extreme weather events. In the CRI ranking for 1993-2022, Dominica, China, and Honduras are identified as the most affected nations, while Pakistan, Belize, and Italy have endured particularly severe impacts. Pakistan’s unique situation is underscored by its high economic losses relative to its greenhouse gas emissions.
The catastrophic floods during the monsoon season from June to September 2022 severely affected Pakistan, displacing over 33 million individuals and resulting in more than 1,700 fatalities, with damages estimated at $15 billion, exclusive of a $16 billion reconstruction cost. These floods highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change despite the nation contributing less than one percent of global emissions.
The World Bank had projected reconstruction costs from the floods to exceed $16 billion, marking one of the costliest disasters recorded. The report links intensified monsoon rainfall — now estimated to have increased by 50 percent — with greater social inequalities, particularly affecting women’s roles in agriculture and their increased susceptibility to gender-based violence amid insecurity.
Citing the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, the CRI stresses the urgency of global resilience-building efforts, emphasizing necessary investments in adaptive resilience strategies. The report also notes that progress towards implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 13, aimed at addressing climate change, faces significant hindrances, particularly as extreme weather events undermine food and water security.
Moreover, the report discusses the relationship between climate change and security, indicating that such impacts foster numerous threats to individual wellbeing and national stability. Vulnerable communities, especially those in conflict-prone areas, risk escalating tensions post extreme weather events due to socio-economic disruptions and demographic shifts.
To enhance resilience, effective governance and robust risk management frameworks are deemed essential. The report urges adherence to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and encourages the development of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS), and the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) under the Paris Agreement.
Despite these recommendations, the outlook for resilience finance remains dire, as demonstrated by criticism of the COP29’s New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for lacking sufficient ambition to mobilize required funds. This concern grows as adaptation financial needs increasingly outpace current commitments.
The CRI projections indicate that vulnerability will likely escalate in regions with limited capacity for infrastructure and basic services. Between 1993 and 2022, a significant percentage of fatalities stemmed from storms, heatwaves, and floods, with economic losses predominantly incurred from storms and floods.
Climate resilience strategies must be prioritized, as highlighted by the CRI’s findings, which serve as a roadmap for reducing risks, reinforcing community safeguards, and advancing sustainable development. Policymakers can utilize this evidence to enhance disaster preparedness and secure international climate funding, ensuring resilience across Pakistan’s provinces.
The Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025 emphasizes the critical urgency of adopting effective climate resilience measures, particularly in vulnerable regions like Pakistan. The report outlines dire economic and human costs associated with inaction while underscoring the importance of targeted investments in resilience-building strategies. A collaborative approach, supported by effective governance and financial commitments, is essential to mitigate climate-related risks and foster sustainable development. Furthermore, addressing the challenges posed by climate change demands urgent action to ensure the welfare and stability of communities, recognizing that climate-induced vulnerabilities disproportionately affect marginalized groups. As such, it is crucial for both national and international stakeholders to prioritize and mobilize resources toward comprehensive adaptation efforts.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
