Bangladesh faces nearly $3 billion in annual losses from extreme weather, according to the Climate Risk Index 2025 by Germanwatch. The report highlights that Global South nations, particularly affected by climate change, sustained immense economic losses totaling $4.2 trillion from 1993 to 2022. Although vulnerable, Bangladesh has significantly reduced disaster-related deaths through effective climate adaptation strategies, emerging as a global role model for disaster management.
Bangladesh incurs nearly $3 billion in annual losses due to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves, affecting over 6.3 million people each year. These findings originate from the Climate Risk Index 2025 report by Germanwatch, published on February 13. This report indicates a significant impact of extreme weather on Global South nations over the last 30 years, with over 9,400 extreme weather incidents causing approximately 800,000 fatalities and economic losses approaching $4.2 trillion from 1993 to 2022.
Countries like Dominica, China, and Honduras rank among the most affected by these disasters, while Bangladesh is listed 31st. The Climate Risk Index assesses the effects of climatic phenomena on countries, taking into account various factors such as fatalities, injuries, and homelessness. A severe heatwave in 2022 preceding a flood in Pakistan illustrates the compounding risks of climate change, resulting in over 90 deaths across India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Despite its vulnerability to climate change, Bangladesh has made commendable strides in reducing disaster-related deaths through robust disaster risk management and climate adaptation strategies. Over the past 40 years, cyclone-induced mortality in the country dramatically decreased from 500,000 in the 1970 cyclone to 4,234 in 2007. The report commends Bangladesh as a model for global disaster management practices. In contrast, nations like China, India, and the Philippines suffer from recurring extreme events.
Germanwatch’s Laura Schaefer warns that the escalating climate crisis poses significant global security threats necessitating immediate multilateral actions. The Global South experiences disproportionate effects, and inadequate data exacerbates the challenges faced by affected communities. This instability points towards a critical period in the climate crisis that could lead to heightened conflicts.
David Eckstein, senior advisor for Climate Finance at Germanwatch, articulates the consequences of inadequate climate action, stating that losses equivalent to $4.2 trillion in 30 years mirror Germany’s GDP. He underscores the urgency for action to avert greater human and economic repercussions. The forthcoming Brazil Climate Summit must prioritize climate financing for vulnerable nations.
Lina Adil, Policy Advisor for Adaptation and Loss & Damage at Germanwatch, emphasizes that limited resources worsen the difficulties faced by impacted countries. She advocates for enhanced mitigation strategies to align with the 1.5°C global warming target. Notably, certain extreme weather incidents have precipitated economic losses that surpass an entire country’s GDP.
Vera Kuenzel, senior advisor for Adaptation and Human Rights at Germanwatch, calls for improved climate risk management and emphasizes the need for greater support for vulnerable nations to mitigate human and economic damages.
The Climate Risk Index 2025 report reveals the severe economic toll that climate-related disasters have taken on Bangladesh, illustrating the critical vulnerability of Global South countries to extreme weather events. Despite these challenges, Bangladesh’s successful adaptation strategies serve as a global example. As the climate crisis intensifies, the call for increased financial support for vulnerable nations becomes ever more urgent to avert future losses and enhance resilience.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
