THE PRICE OF CLIMATE CHANGE IS HIGH - Who Pays?

In 2026 it is no secret that climate change is heightening existing humanitarian crises globally and generating new ones in already vulnerable communities.

Experts warn that substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions—such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide—stemming from activities like fossil fuel use and deforestation are crucial to halt the rise in global temperatures and its catastrophic impacts.

Extreme weather events associated with global warming affect countries regardless of their GDP or wealth, as evidenced by recent deadly floods in Europe, unprecedented floods in China, and a mix of hurricanes and severe winter temperatures in the United States.

However, wealthier nations generally have more resources to cope with the impacts of climate change, whereas lower-income countries often lack such resources.

COUNTRIES MOST AT RISK OF CLIMATE CHANGE:

• Chad: Floods and increasing military conflict affecting the entire nation.

• Somalia: Severe drought and extreme food insecurity.

• Syria: Drought and earthquakes.

• Yemen: Drought and food insecurity.

• Democratic Republic of Congo: Floods and escalating food insecurity.

• Afghanistan: Experiencing both drought and flooding.

• South Sudan: Ranked 7th most vulnerable - Floods in late 2022 impacted over 900,000 people.

• Central African Republic: Cholera and other waterborne diseases.

• Nigeria: Flooding and food insecurity.

• Ethiopia: Severe drought

The stark and shocking reality is that 50% of all countries receive less than $4 per person per year in climate finance for both mitigation and adaptation efforts. How does 65 cents per person per year sound?

• Sudan receives only about $1 per person per year in total climate finance – that’s for both mitigation and adaptation.

• Two billion people lack water services that can endure climate-related challenges – that’s 25% of the World’s population. And we know, without doubt, that access to a reliable water supply is crucial for mitigating both immediate and future climate change impact

• 77 cents per person per year. In countries where more than 10% of the population does not have access to nearby water, climate finance for water service adaptation averages less than 77 cents per year

• 65 cents per person per year. The ten countries with the lowest levels of access to nearby water receive an average of just 65 cents per person per year in climate finance for water service adaptation.

We still have a very long way to go, and much work ahead to be able to recalibrate and address these very significant global challenges.