Fernan Carigma

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, ranking 10th in the 2025 Climate Risk Index (CRI) due to the devastating impact of extreme weather events on its economy and social structure.

Photo Courtesy of INSIGHTS IAS/Common Dreams.

According to Germanwatch, the Philippines experienced 372 extreme weather events between 1993 and 2022, leading to $34 billion in economic losses and thousands of fatalities.

The report highlighted Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013 as the most destructive event, resulting in $13 billion in damages and over 7,000 deaths.

“Because of [the Philippines’] geographical location, the archipelagic country is regularly hit by typhoons,” Germanwatch stated, emphasizing the continuous threat posed by these disasters.

The economic impact of extreme weather events is severe, leading to significant losses in agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure.

According to Germanwatch, storms account for the largest share of global economic damages, representing 56% of total losses, which amounts to approximately $2.33 trillion.  

This led to communities being frequently displaced, families losing their homes, and poverty rates increasing due to climate-related disasters.

The 2025 Climate Risk Index (CRI) further indicates that the Philippines, along with China and Pakistan, is among the nations that face recurring extreme weather events rather than isolated incidents.

“There are clear indications that climate change contributes to transforming unusually extreme events into continuous events,” the report noted, describing this as the “new normal.”

Germanwatch highlighted the importance of prioritizing climate financing to assist vulnerable countries, such as the Philippines, in adapting to the escalating climate crisis. During the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan, developing nations requested $1.3 trillion in public climate finance, but only $300 billion was provided.

“The decision includes the request that developed countries take the lead, but with no clear definition of what this refers to,” the report criticized, calling the outcome a major disappointment.

Despite ongoing global negotiations, the Philippines is at high risk from climate change and urgently needs action from both local and international stakeholders to address its devastating impacts.

Germanwatch has called on nations to enhance disaster preparedness and improve climate adaptation measures, warning that inaction could lead to more severe consequences in the coming years.