Home / Environment / Climate Disasters Cost $120bn: UN Urged to Act
Climate Disasters Cost $120bn: UN Urged to Act
27 Dec
Summary
- 2025 climate disasters caused over $120bn in insured losses.
- Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity.
- Urgent action is needed to transition away from fossil fuels.
The year 2025 witnessed a staggering economic toll from climate-related disasters, with the 10 worst events alone accumulating over $120 billion in insured losses. Cyclones and floods in Southeast Asia resulted in more than 1,750 fatalities and $25 billion in damage, while California's wildfires claimed over 400 lives and inflicted $60 billion in damages. China's severe floods displaced thousands and caused approximately $12 billion in losses.
Experts emphasize that these are not simply 'natural disasters' but direct consequences of the human-made climate crisis, driven by increasing fossil fuel expansion and political inaction. The report highlights that while developed nations often face higher documented economic costs, developing countries bear a disproportionately higher human toll, counting lost lives and futures.
Urgent global action is imperative to transition away from fossil fuels and implement adaptation measures, particularly in vulnerable regions. The UN climate summit's agreement to triple adaptation finance for poorer nations, while a step, is insufficient to meet the growing needs. Failure to accelerate this transition means continued escalation of extreme weather damages worldwide.
