According to the latest research about the world’s most climate-vulnerable places, 16 of the 20 places in the world that are most vulnerable to climate change are located in China. Also, some of the world’s most significant manufacturing centers are at risk from increasing water levels and harsh weather.
In order to determine the potential economic harm that temperature increases could cause by 2050, climate risk specialists at XDI evaluated more than 2,600 regions across the globe using climate models in conjunction with weather and environmental data.
The report is based on an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenario that predicts global temperatures will rise by 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of the century.
Being climate-vulnerable means major economic loss
Data showed that some of the key areas of the world economy are vulnerable to catastrophic risks including sea level rise, river flooding, and wildfires. These catastrophic occurrences might also lower property values and discourage investment, according to XDI.
According to XDI Chief Executive Rohan Hamden, the effects of weather occurrences around the world are already being felt strongly and will only get worse. He added that the goal of the research is to guarantee that every investment choice is done in a manner that is climate resilient.
Which are the most climate-vulnerable regions?
Jiangsu, a heavily industrialized coastal province in China that makes up a tenth of the country’s GDP, was named the most susceptible region in the world. It is followed by Shandong, a neighboring province. In third place is Hebei, a significant center for the manufacture of steel. Henan, a central region prone to flooding, came in fourth.
Chinese regions that were previously vulnerable to the effects of climate change have seen a significant rise in infrastructure investment as a result of the migration of global industry to Asia, according to Hamden.
According to him, investments in infrastructure have a tendency to concentrate in regions that have historically been particularly high-risk, such as river deltas, coastal regions, and generally flat locations.
Which are risky regions outside China?
Florida came up at number 10 among non-Chinese regions, followed by California (19) and New York (46) in terms of rankings. Nine Indian territories were also in the top 50.
According to Karl Mallon, co-founder of XDI, while climate is likely to play a larger role in deciding the flow of money, it is yet unclear if it will discourage investment in more vulnerable areas.
He added there is still much to be done to determine which regions of the world are likely to adapt and defend. Also, the question is which regions are more likely to be abandoned in the future.
Which are the most climate-vulnerable countries according to IPCC?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has identified many countries that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including:
- Small island states: These include countries such as the Maldives, Tuvalu, and Kiribati, which are at risk of sea level rise, storm surges, and other climate-related hazards.
- Coastal countries: Countries with long coastlines such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Egypt are at risk of flooding, erosion, and storm surges.
- African countries: Countries in sub-Saharan Africa, such as Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia, are particularly vulnerable to droughts and other extreme weather events.
- Arctic countries: Countries such as Greenland and Canada, which have large portions of their territory in the Arctic, are experiencing rapid warming and melting of sea ice, which can lead to impacts on their ecosystems and infrastructure.
- Mountainous countries: Countries with large mountain ranges, such as Nepal and Bhutan, are at risk of glacial melt, which can lead to flooding and other impacts downstream.
Every country will experience some impacts from climate change, but the severity and type of impacts will vary depending on many factors, including location, geography, and social and economic conditions.