Climate Risk Index 2025: A Critical Overview of Pakistan’s Vulnerability

The Climate Risk Index 2025 by Germanwatch reveals severe climate change impacts, particularly in countries like Pakistan. The findings show alarming human and economic tolls, with the need for improved resilience strategies. 2022 floods exemplified these threats, further complicating gender disparities and intensifying vulnerabilities. The report advocates for urgent climate action and enhanced financing for vulnerable nations.

The Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025, released in February 2025 by Germanwatch, underscores the growing impacts of climate change and the urgent necessity for improved resilience strategies. This report analyzes data from 1993 to 2022, assessing the effects of climate-related extreme weather events on various nations. It reveals that countries like Pakistan are facing ongoing climate threats and emphasizes the severe consequences of inaction, which have led to the loss of over 765,000 lives and nearly $4.2 trillion in direct economic damages.

The report categorizes countries based on their exposure to extreme weather events, with Pakistan, along with China and India, regularly threatened by climate-related hazards. The recent floods during Pakistan’s monsoon season in 2022 exemplified this, displacing over 33 million people, causing more than 1,700 deaths, and leading to approximately $15 billion in damages. These figures exclude significant reconstruction costs and illustrate Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change despite its minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.

The findings further indicate how the 2022 floods heightened existing gender disparities, particularly affecting women in livelihoods related to agriculture and livestock. Moreover, rising extreme heat events are projected to become significantly more frequent in Pakistan, complicating climate resilience efforts. The report draws heavily on data from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report and calls for reassessment of global resilience efforts amid increasing climate threats.

A critical issue highlighted is the lack of progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 13, which addresses urgent climate action. The increasing intensity of extreme weather is undermining food and water security, affecting overall SDG implementation. Additionally, the report emphasizes the link between climate change and security, pointing out how adverse climate impacts can exacerbate social tensions and conflicts in vulnerable communities.

The CRI report examines the mechanisms through which climate change can incite conflict, including economic shifts, migration, and political instability. Recognizing these risks necessitates robust governance and effective risk management frameworks, urging adherence to the Sendai Framework and the implementation of National Adaptation Plans. However, the outlook for resilience financing remains concerning, especially for vulnerable countries needing significant financial support.

Looking ahead, projections indicate a concentration of human vulnerability in regions lacking the infrastructure necessary for basic services. The report details that between 1993 and 2022, storms accounted for 35% of fatalities, with floods affecting half of the impacted global population. It further argues for heightened ambition in climate mitigation efforts, as even high-income countries remain at risk without serious commitments to reducing emissions.

In summary, the CRI findings provide valuable insights for enhancing Pakistan’s climate resilience strategies. The report advocates for prioritizing investments in infrastructure, early warning systems, and fostering adaptation measures while securing international climate financing. Policymakers can utilize this analysis to bolster disaster preparedness and improve sustainable development outcomes, ensuring greater community protection against climate-related risks.

The writer is a climate governance expert. He can be contacted at [email protected].

The Climate Risk Index 2025 serves as a critical alert regarding the escalating impacts of climate change, specifically highlighting the ongoing threats faced by countries like Pakistan. It underscores the urgent need for enhanced resilience measures, financial support, and effective governance to combat these climate challenges. By leveraging the insights provided, policymakers can better prepare for climate-related risks and work towards sustainable development goals, ensuring the protection of communities against extreme weather impacts.

Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk