Global Climate Risk Index 2020
Who Suffers Most from Extreme Weather Events? Wether-Related Loss Events in 2018 and 1999 to 2018
Published on 5. December 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
44 pages
978-3-943704-77-8 (ISBN)
Description
The Global Climate Risk Index 2020 analyses to what extent countries and regions have been affected by
impacts of weather-related loss events (storms, floods, heatwaves etc.). The most recent data available-
for 2018 and from 1999 to 2018 -were taken into account.
The countries and territories affected most in 2018 were Japan, the Philippines as well as
Germany. For the period from 1999 to 2018 Puerto Rico, Myanmar and Haiti rank highest.
This year's 15th edition of the Climate Risk Index clearly shows: Signs of escalating climate change can no
longer be ignored - on any continent or in any region. Impacts from extreme weather events hit the poorest
countries hardest as these are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of a hazard and have a
lower coping capacity and may need more time to rebuild and recover. The Climate Risk Index may serve
as a red flag for already existing vulnerabilities that may further increase as extreme events will become
more frequent or more severe due to climate change. The heatwaves in Europe, North America and Japan
also confirm: High-income countries are feeling climate impacts more clearly than ever before. Effective
climate change mitigation is therefore in the self-interest of all countries worldwide.
At this year's Climate Summit in Madrid, the second review of the Warsaw International Mechanism for
Loss and Damage will investigate whether the body fulfills its mandate to avert, minimise and address
loss and damage and whether it is equipped to do so in the future. In that process, COP25 needs to debate
the lack of climate finance to address loss and damage. Furthermore, the implementation of measures
for adapting to climate change must be strengthened.
impacts of weather-related loss events (storms, floods, heatwaves etc.). The most recent data available-
for 2018 and from 1999 to 2018 -were taken into account.
The countries and territories affected most in 2018 were Japan, the Philippines as well as
Germany. For the period from 1999 to 2018 Puerto Rico, Myanmar and Haiti rank highest.
This year's 15th edition of the Climate Risk Index clearly shows: Signs of escalating climate change can no
longer be ignored - on any continent or in any region. Impacts from extreme weather events hit the poorest
countries hardest as these are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of a hazard and have a
lower coping capacity and may need more time to rebuild and recover. The Climate Risk Index may serve
as a red flag for already existing vulnerabilities that may further increase as extreme events will become
more frequent or more severe due to climate change. The heatwaves in Europe, North America and Japan
also confirm: High-income countries are feeling climate impacts more clearly than ever before. Effective
climate change mitigation is therefore in the self-interest of all countries worldwide.
At this year's Climate Summit in Madrid, the second review of the Warsaw International Mechanism for
Loss and Damage will investigate whether the body fulfills its mandate to avert, minimise and address
loss and damage and whether it is equipped to do so in the future. In that process, COP25 needs to debate
the lack of climate finance to address loss and damage. Furthermore, the implementation of measures
for adapting to climate change must be strengthened.