HSBC in its latest report revealed that India is the most vulnerable country to climate change, followed by Pakistan, the Philippines and Bangladesh.
The bank assessed 67 developed, emerging and frontier markets on vulnerability to the physical impacts of climate change, sensitivity to extreme weather events, exposure to energy transition risks and ability to respond to climate change.
The 67 nations represent almost a third of the world’s nation states, 80 per cent of the global population and 94 per cent of global gross domestic product. (Read India would need at least USD 2.5 trillion to meet its 2030 climate change targets)
HSBC averaged the scores in each area for the countries in order to reach the overall ranking. Some countries were highly vulnerable in some areas but less so in others.
Of the four nations assessed by HSBC to be most vulnerable, India has said climate change could cut agricultural incomes, particularly unirrigated areas that would be hit hardest by rising temperatures and declines in rainfall.
Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines are susceptible to extreme weather events, such as storms and flooding.
Pakistan was ranked by HSBC among nations least well-equipped to respond to climate risks.
South and southeast Asian countries accounted for half of the 10 most vulnerable countries. Oman, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Mexico, Kenya and South Africa are also in this group.(Read India and France signs pact to deepen cooperation in environment field)
The five countries least vulnerable to climate change risk are Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia and New Zealand.
Source: Reuters