This report analyses the extent to which countries have been affected by weather-related loss events. It warns that the window for putting the world on a track to stay below two degrees Celsius is rapidly closing and preparations must be made for potentially more frequent or severe weather events in the future. Published in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP18 held from 26 November to 7 December 2012 in Doha, Qatar, the paper calls on the conference delegates to insert new dynamics, and on the international community to scale-up its response to addressing climate change and associated (and increasing) loss and damage. The publication begins with instructions for reading the Global Climate Risk Index. Although it does not provide an all-encompassing analysis of the risks from anthropogenic climate change to countries, it does indicate a level of exposure and vulnerability to extreme events. The following are among this report’s key messages.

Honduras, Myanmar and Nicaragua were the countries most affected by extreme weather events from 1992 to 2011.
Eight of the ten most affected countries (1992-2011) were developing countries in the low-income or lower-middle income country group – two belong to the upper-middle income countries.
In total, more than 530,000 people died as a direct consequence from almost 15,000 extreme weather events and losses of more than US$2.5 trillion (in PPP) occurred from 1992 to 2011 (US$1.68 trillion overall losses in original values).
In 2011, the ranking of the most affected countries is led by Thailand, Cambodia, Pakistan, El Salvador and the Philippines.
An ambitious work programme on near-term mitigation as well as Kyoto II targets in line with the two degrees Celsius limit are key actions required.
Adequate financial and institutional support should be provided by developed countries to further increase disaster preparedness and resilience of poor countries.