Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TOI
Context: The Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025 was released, highlighting the increasing global impact of extreme weather events and the need for stronger climate action.
• India ranked sixth among the most affected countries (1993-2022) due to extreme weather events, despite improving its short-term ranking to 49th in 2022.
About Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025:
• What is the Climate Risk Index?
• The Climate Risk Index (CRI) ranks countries based on their vulnerability to extreme weather events. It assesses the human and economic losses due to climate-induced disasters.
• The Climate Risk Index (CRI) ranks countries based on their vulnerability to extreme weather events.
• It assesses the human and economic losses due to climate-induced disasters.
• Released by and Frequency:
• Published by Germanwatch, an environmental think tank. Annual publication since 2006, with data covering the past 30 years.
• Published by Germanwatch, an environmental think tank.
• Annual publication since 2006, with data covering the past 30 years.
• Aim of CRI:
• To provide a comparative analysis of the impact of extreme weather events. To guide global climate policies and risk mitigation efforts. To highlight the most affected nations and emphasize the urgency of climate resilience.
• To provide a comparative analysis of the impact of extreme weather events.
• To guide global climate policies and risk mitigation efforts.
• To highlight the most affected nations and emphasize the urgency of climate resilience.
• CRI Methodology and Criteria:
The CRI ranks countries based on:
• Fatalities (direct and indirect deaths due to extreme weather). Affected population (injured, displaced, and impacted people). Economic losses (damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and GDP). Number of extreme weather events (floods, storms, heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, etc.). Long-term impact assessment (1993-2022) and short-term impact (2022 alone).
• Fatalities (direct and indirect deaths due to extreme weather).
• Affected population (injured, displaced, and impacted people).
• Economic losses (damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and GDP).
• Number of extreme weather events (floods, storms, heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, etc.).
• Long-term impact assessment (1993-2022) and short-term impact (2022 alone).
• Key data insights from report: Most Affected Countries (1993-2022):
• Most Affected Countries (1993-2022):
• Dominica, China, and Honduras ranked as the worst-affected nations. India, Myanmar, Italy, and Vanuatu also feature among the top 10.
• Dominica, China, and Honduras ranked as the worst-affected nations. India, Myanmar, Italy, and Vanuatu also feature among the top 10.
• Dominica, China, and Honduras ranked as the worst-affected nations.
• India, Myanmar, Italy, and Vanuatu also feature among the top 10.
• Most Affected Countries in 2022:
• Pakistan, Belize, and Italy suffered the most damage. Heatwaves, storms, and floods were the primary causes of destruction.
• Pakistan, Belize, and Italy suffered the most damage. Heatwaves, storms, and floods were the primary causes of destruction.
• Pakistan, Belize, and Italy suffered the most damage.
• Heatwaves, storms, and floods were the primary causes of destruction.
• Top Disasters by Impact (1993-2022):
• Storms (35%) caused the highest economic losses (~$2.33 trillion). Heatwaves (30%) caused significant fatalities. Floods (27%) affected the most people.
• Storms (35%) caused the highest economic losses (~$2.33 trillion). Heatwaves (30%) caused significant fatalities. Floods (27%) affected the most people.
• Storms (35%) caused the highest economic losses (~$2.33 trillion).
• Heatwaves (30%) caused significant fatalities.
• Floods (27%) affected the most people.
• India’s Performance in CRI 2025: Long-term ranking (1993-2022): India ranked 6th globally among the worst-affected nations. Over 400 extreme weather events reported in 30 years. 80,000+ deaths and $180 billion in losses due to climate disasters. Short-term ranking (2022): India ranked 49th in 2022, showing improvement from 7th in 2019. Severe floods, cyclones, and heatwaves remained major climate threats.
• Long-term ranking (1993-2022): India ranked 6th globally among the worst-affected nations. Over 400 extreme weather events reported in 30 years. 80,000+ deaths and $180 billion in losses due to climate disasters.
• India ranked 6th globally among the worst-affected nations.
• Over 400 extreme weather events reported in 30 years.
• 80,000+ deaths and $180 billion in losses due to climate disasters.
• Short-term ranking (2022): India ranked 49th in 2022, showing improvement from 7th in 2019. Severe floods, cyclones, and heatwaves remained major climate threats.
• India ranked 49th in 2022, showing improvement from 7th in 2019.
• Severe floods, cyclones, and heatwaves remained major climate threats.