Global Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2026
About Global Climate Risk Index (CRI)
Publisher: Germanwatch (Bonn-based environmental think tank).
Purpose: Assesses and ranks countries based on their vulnerability to climate-related extreme weather events and capacity to cope with such impacts.
Data Sources: EM-DAT (Emergency Events Database) and other official disaster databases.
Frequency: Annual report.
Indicators used:
Number of deaths
Deaths per 100,000 inhabitants
Economic losses (absolute and as % of GDP)
CRI 2026 Highlights
Released at: COP30 (Belem, Brazil, November 2025)
Assessment Periods:
Long-term Index: 1995–2024
Annual Index: 2024
The Climate Risk Index (CRI), published since 2006, is one of the longest running annual climate impact-related indices.
This retrospective index ranks countries by their economic and human impacts (fatalities, as well as total affected), with the most affected country ranked highest.
The CRI visualises such events’ degree of effect at one year before the index’s publication and over the preceding 30 years.
India’s Performance
Parameter | Rank/Value |
Long-term Index (1995–2024) | 9th (Improved from 8th in CRI 2024) |
Annual Index (2024) | 15th (Improved from 10th in CRI 2024) |
Extreme Weather Events (1995–2024) | Around 430 |
Fatalities | Over 80,000 |
Economic Losses | Around USD 170 billion |
Global Findings (CRI 2026)
Total Extreme Events (1995–2024): ~9,700
Global Deaths: ~832,000
Economic Losses: ~USD 4.5 trillion
Most affected (Long-term): Dominica, Myanmar, Honduras
Most affected (2024 Annual): St Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Chad
40% of global population (~3 billion) lives in high climate-risk countries (includes India & China).
India’s Climate Resilience Efforts
(a) National Policies & Frameworks
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC, 2008):
8 National Missions (Solar, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, etc.)
State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs):
Customized state-level climate resilience frameworks.
National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP):
Integrated climate disaster response and mitigation framework.
(b) Institutional & Global Initiatives
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI):
Launched by India (2019, UN Climate Summit) to promote climate-resilient infrastructure globally.
Early Warning Systems:
Strengthened under IMD and NDMA for cyclones, floods, and heatwaves.
Use of Satellite-based monitoring & AI:
For prediction and post-disaster response.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. Which of the following correctly states India’s ranking in the Global Climate Risk Index 2026?
A. 9th in long-term index and 15th in 2024 annual index
B. 8th in long-term index and 10th in 2024 annual index
C. 10th in long-term index and 8th in 2024 annual index
D. 15th in long-term index and 9th in 2024 annual index
Answer: A
Explanation: India improved to 9th (long-term 1995–2024) and 15th (2024 annual) from previous ranks of 8th and 10th respectively.
Q. Assertion (A): India’s position in the Global Climate Risk Index improved in 2025.
Reason (R): India has strengthened its climate adaptation policies and early warning systems.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.
Answer: A
Explanation: India’s improved CRI ranking directly results from effective adaptation and preparedness measures, validating both A and R.