Germanwatch Report Flags India’s High Climate Vulnerability

India Among the Most Affected by Extreme Weather

Germanwatch Report Flags India’s High Climate Vulnerability: India has been identified as the sixth most climate-impacted country globally over a 30-year period (1993–2022), according to the latest Germanwatch Climate Risk Index. The report underscores the escalating vulnerability India faces from climate-induced disasters, citing that more than 80,000 people have lost their lives and the country has incurred economic losses exceeding USD 180 billion due to events like floods, cyclones, and prolonged heatwaves.

Intensity and Frequency of Climate Disasters

In three decades, India has endured over 400 major weather-related disasters, including historic calamities like the 1998 Gujarat cyclone, the 1999 Odisha super cyclone, and the devastating 2013 Uttarakhand floods. Annual monsoon floods continue to wreak havoc, displacing millions and damaging agriculture, homes, and public infrastructure. Events such as Cyclone Amphan (2020) have further tested India’s resilience, exposing gaps in urban planning and disaster readiness.

India’s Place in the Global Climate Risk Scenario

India’s sixth rank in the index places it among the most impacted nations globally, despite its relatively low per capita emissions. The broader global data shows over 9,400 extreme weather events worldwide, causing 765,000 deaths and economic losses nearing USD 4.2 trillion. Countries like Dominica, Honduras, and China also appear high on the list, reflecting how developing and Global South nations disproportionately bear the consequences of climate change.

Economic Risks Looming on the Horizon

According to the Asian Development Bank, if climate action remains insufficient, India could face a GDP contraction of nearly 25% by 2070. This alarming forecast is linked to factors such as sea-level rise, lower agricultural productivity, reduced labor capacity, and soaring energy costs. The Germanwatch report notes that 56% of India’s climate-related losses stemmed from storms, while 32% were attributed to floods, signaling the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure and risk mitigation.

Climate Risk Index Findings and Recommendations

The Climate Risk Index points out that lower-middle-income countries are the hardest hit by climate events due to limited access to adaptive technologies and finance. The report recommends stronger global support for climate adaptation, especially through early warning systems, disaster management strategies, and dedicated financial assistance for vulnerable nations like India.

Global Demand for Climate Justice

The findings of the report have amplified calls at global forums like COP29 for wealthier nations to fulfill their promises on climate finance. The World Economic Forum 2025 ranked extreme weather as the second biggest global threat, urging stronger action on loss and damage support. Germanwatch emphasizes that high-emission countries must take responsibility and aid developing nations with both funding and green technologies to build climate resilience.

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