Globbal Climate Risk Index 2011
Who suffers most from extreme weather events? Weather related loss events in 2009 and 1990 to 2009
Published on 3. December 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
24 pages
978-3-939846-74-1 (ISBN)
Description
As in previous years, the Global Climate Risk Index 2011 analyses to what extent
countries have been affected by the impacts of weather-related loss events (storms,
floods, heat waves etc.). The most recent available data from 2009 as well as for the
period 1990-2009 were taken into account.
This year´s analysis underlines that less developed countries are generally more affected
than industrialised countries, according to the Climate Risk Index. With regard
to future climate change, the CRI can serve as a warning signal indicating past vulnerability
which may further increase in regions where extreme events will become more
frequent or more severe through climate change. While some vulnerable developing
countries are frequently hit by extreme events, there are also some where such disasters
are a rarity. In 2009, this was in particular the case for Saudi Arabia.
Many developing countries have increased their efforts to prepare for disasters and to
adapt to climate change. Numerous options for pro-active prevention exist, also risk
transfer schemes such as regional or international insurance attract much higher attention,
for those events where the impacts cannot be reduced in a cost effective way.
The right design of insurance solutions can sent a strong incentive signal for proactive
adaptation. The provision of institutional and financial support for vulnerable countries
should be increased in the near future, and the adoption of an ambitious Adaptation
Framework for Implementation in Cancún at COP16 could be an important catalyst
for that.
countries have been affected by the impacts of weather-related loss events (storms,
floods, heat waves etc.). The most recent available data from 2009 as well as for the
period 1990-2009 were taken into account.
This year´s analysis underlines that less developed countries are generally more affected
than industrialised countries, according to the Climate Risk Index. With regard
to future climate change, the CRI can serve as a warning signal indicating past vulnerability
which may further increase in regions where extreme events will become more
frequent or more severe through climate change. While some vulnerable developing
countries are frequently hit by extreme events, there are also some where such disasters
are a rarity. In 2009, this was in particular the case for Saudi Arabia.
Many developing countries have increased their efforts to prepare for disasters and to
adapt to climate change. Numerous options for pro-active prevention exist, also risk
transfer schemes such as regional or international insurance attract much higher attention,
for those events where the impacts cannot be reduced in a cost effective way.
The right design of insurance solutions can sent a strong incentive signal for proactive
adaptation. The provision of institutional and financial support for vulnerable countries
should be increased in the near future, and the adoption of an ambitious Adaptation
Framework for Implementation in Cancún at COP16 could be an important catalyst
for that.