The Climate Risk Index 2025 by Germanwatch reveals that India ranks sixth among countries affected by extreme weather events from 1993-2022. It highlights severe economic losses over USD 180 billion and significant fatalities. The global analysis indicates that extreme weather has resulted in nearly 800,000 deaths and devastates economies, particularly in developing nations. The report calls for urgent climate financing and multilateral action to address these escalating challenges.
According to the Climate Risk Index 2025 published by Germanwatch, India is one of the top ten countries impacted by extreme weather events from 1993 to 2022. This index highlights the severe consequences of climate change, with India ranking sixth overall. Alongside Dominica, China, and Honduras, India experienced significant climate-related disasters, such as devastating floods, intense heatwaves, and destructive cyclones during this period.
The report mentions over 400 extreme weather events in India that resulted in approximately USD 180 billion in damages and over 80,000 fatalities. Key events include significant floods in 1993, 1998, and 2013, as well as heatwaves exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in years like 2002, 2003, and 2015. Other noteworthy incidents include the Gujarat cyclone of 1998, the Odisha cyclone of 1999, and the Uttarakhand floods in 2013.
In addition to India, countries like China, the Philippines, and Pakistan are also facing continual threats from climate-induced extreme weather, as noted in the report. Globally, extreme weather events over the past 30 years have led to nearly 800,000 deaths and caused economic losses amounting to USD 4.2 trillion.
The findings of this index underscore that nations in the Global South suffer disproportionately from climate events. It employs a backward-looking approach, ranking countries based on economic and human impacts, including fatalities and the number of people affected, injured, or displaced.
Laura Schaefer, Head of Division for International Climate Policy at Germanwatch commented on the necessity for comprehensive discussions on climate change during security conferences, warning of its potential to destabilize societies and exacerbate conflicts. She emphasized the need for thorough data collection in the Global South to more accurately reflect the economic and human consequences of climate change.
The report also highlights inadequate climate financing, stressing that COP29 in Baku failed to establish a robust New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance. It calls for a minimum of USD 300 billion annually until 2035 to address escalating climate challenges, with increased support required from high-emitting nations for vulnerable countries dealing with climate impacts.
David Eckstein, Senior Advisor for Climate Finance at Germanwatch, noted the importance of urgent action in mitigating climate change. He pointed out that cumulative losses amounting to USD 4.2 trillion over 30 years are comparable to Germany’s GDP, urging greater investments in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts to prevent staggering future costs.
The Climate Risk Index 2025 reveals that India, along with several other nations, is significantly impacted by extreme weather events intensified by climate change. The findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive climate finance and collective action from high-emission countries to support vulnerable nations. Addressing climate change as a global security risk is essential to prevent further humanitarian and economic costs in the future.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
