Philippines ranks 7th in climate risk index

THE Philippines is ranked as the seventh country most affected by storms, floods and heat waves in 2024, based on Germanwatch’s latest Climate Risk Index.

Between 1995 and 2024, the Philippines experienced 371 extreme weather events, causing 27,500 fatalities and over $35 billion in economic losses, the report noted.

Over 832,000 people died worldwide due to more than 9,700 extreme weather events in the same period, resulting in $4.5 trillion in economic damages, it added.

Key findings in the report have been presented at the 30th United Nations climate change conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.

“Countries such as Haiti, the Philippines and India – all of which are among the 10 most affected countries – face particular challenges. They are hit by floods, heat waves or storms so regularly that entire regions can hardly recover from the impacts until the next event hits,” said Vera Künzel, co-author of the study.

“When more funding to address loss and damage is negotiated here at COP, the focus is on countries like these. Without more long-term support, including for adapting to the climate crisis, they will face insurmountable challenges,” she added.

Negotiators at COP30 face mounting pressure to set clear targets for climate adaptation, secure reliable financing for vulnerable nations and take decisive steps toward advancing climate action globally.

Consecutive typhoons in the Philippines preceded the Germanwatch report’s release.

Aksyon Klima national coordinator John Leo Algo said Super Typhoon Uwan’s wrath “places a lot of pressure on the Philippine government delegation at COP30 to deliver concrete outcomes.”

The Philippines should ensure that developed countries deliver on their promise of mobilizing $300 billion in climate financing for developing nations, Algo emphasized.

Around 40 percent of people worldwide live in 11 countries most severely affected by heat waves, storms and floods over the past 30 years, the report said.

“Global emissions have to be reduced immediately… and adequate climate finance must be provided,” Climate Risk Index co-author David Eckstein maintained.