PH ranks 7th among the countries most affected by extreme weather events in 2024—report
The Philippines was the seventh most affected country by extreme weather events in 2024, according to a new report.
In the latest Climate Risk Index conducted by Germanwatch, the Philippines was among the top 10 countries most affected over the 1995 to 2024 period.
It noted that during this period, the Philippines experienced 371 extreme weather events, resulting in approximately 27,500 deaths and over $35 billion (~P2 trillion) in economic damages.
The ranking is determined using six indicators, including the number of fatalities, the total population affected (injured, and otherwise adversely affected), and the extent of economic losses—measured in both absolute and relative terms.
Germanwatch noted that the latest Climate Risk Index underscores the growing impact of climate-driven disasters and the urgent need to cut emissions and step up efforts to adapt to global warming.
“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. 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,” Vera Künzel, co-author of the study, said.
The report came days after consecutive Typhoons, Tino and Uwan, wreaked havoc in the Philippines. The main findings of Germanwatch’s Climate Risk Index will be unveiled on Tuesday during COP30 in Belém.
“The wrath of super-typhoon Uwan places a lot of pressure on the Philippine government delegation here at COP30 to deliver concrete outcomes," Aksyon Kima national coordinator John Leo Algo said.
He added that the Philippines’ COP30 priorities should include securing developed countries’ pledge of $300 billion in climate finance for developing nations.
“Another is on defining a global goal on adaptation that would truly reflect the needs of vulnerable countries like the Philippines to reduce or avoid losses and damages like what it has experienced in the past few days,” Algo added.
The report noted that approximately 40% of the global population—over 3 billion people—currently reside in the 11 countries most severely impacted by extreme weather events like heatwaves, storms, and floods over the past 30 years.
Germanwatch’s Climate Risk Index monitors deaths, affected populations, and economic damages from weather-related events to evaluate countries’ exposure and vulnerability. (With reports from Bella Cariaso and Christine Boton)
