Global Climate Risk Index 2009
Weather-related loss events and their impacts on countries in 2007 and in a long-term comparison
Published on 10. December 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
24 pages
978-3-939846-45-1 (ISBN)
Description
Extreme weather events are generally expected to increase in frequency and intensity due to
global climate change. They have the potential to significantly undermine progress towards
the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Global Climate Risk
Index 2009 analyses to what extent countries have been affected by the impacts of weatherrelated
loss events (storms, floods, heatwaves etc.). These analyses are based on the wellknown
assessments of the Munich Re database NatCatSERVICE®. The figures for 2007
reveal that poorer countries dominate the ranking of the most affected countries (the
Down10), while in the past decade hurricanes in the Caribbean region caused significant
losses and deaths and thus impact on the decadal ranking.
In various respects, inter alia regarding the losses in relation to the GDP or deaths in
relation to the population, less developed countries are affected more than industrialised
countries. In terms of adaptation to climate change, it is important to note that there exist
many synergies between disaster risk reduction activities and adaptation. Bangladesh is one
of the outstanding examples which have undertaken already multiple measures. Thus
strengthening disaster risk reduction is a key challenge for effective adaptation. However,
an international insurance mechanism can serve as an important complement within a
comprehensive adaptation regime. Both prevention and insurance are on the agenda of the
UNFCCC negotiations towards an agreement in 2009 in Copenhagen, and progress here is
very important for the prospects of a large number of vulnerable people worldwide.
global climate change. They have the potential to significantly undermine progress towards
the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Global Climate Risk
Index 2009 analyses to what extent countries have been affected by the impacts of weatherrelated
loss events (storms, floods, heatwaves etc.). These analyses are based on the wellknown
assessments of the Munich Re database NatCatSERVICE®. The figures for 2007
reveal that poorer countries dominate the ranking of the most affected countries (the
Down10), while in the past decade hurricanes in the Caribbean region caused significant
losses and deaths and thus impact on the decadal ranking.
In various respects, inter alia regarding the losses in relation to the GDP or deaths in
relation to the population, less developed countries are affected more than industrialised
countries. In terms of adaptation to climate change, it is important to note that there exist
many synergies between disaster risk reduction activities and adaptation. Bangladesh is one
of the outstanding examples which have undertaken already multiple measures. Thus
strengthening disaster risk reduction is a key challenge for effective adaptation. However,
an international insurance mechanism can serve as an important complement within a
comprehensive adaptation regime. Both prevention and insurance are on the agenda of the
UNFCCC negotiations towards an agreement in 2009 in Copenhagen, and progress here is
very important for the prospects of a large number of vulnerable people worldwide.