A recent World Bank report has issued a stark warning that by 2030, nearly 1.8 billion people in South Asia—approximately 89% of the region’s population—will be exposed to extreme heat risks. The report, titled “From Risk to Resilience: Helping People and Firms Adapt in South Asia,” underscores the urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation strategies to mitigate the impending crisis.
In 2021, countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka experienced an average of six hours per day that were too hot for safe outdoor work. Projections indicate this could increase to seven or eight hours daily by 2050, severely impacting labor productivity and public health.
The report reveals that over 60% of households and businesses in South Asia have encountered extreme weather events in the past five years. Despite this, adaptation measures remain limited due to market failures and income constraints. Only 1.1% of surveyed households have utilized weather insurance products, highlighting a significant gap in financial tools to combat climate risks.
Martin Raiser, World Bank Vice President for South Asia, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “People and firms are already adapting, but they are doing so with limited tools and few resources. Governments must act quickly to remove the barriers that prevent more effective adaptation.”
The economic ramifications of rising temperatures are profound. In India alone, lost labor due to heat and humidity could result in a GDP reduction of up to 4.5% by 2030, equating to approximately USD 150-250 billion. Pakistan and Bangladesh could face GDP losses of up to 5%.
As urban populations grow, the demand for cooling solutions becomes critical. India’s 2019 Cooling Action Plan aims to address this by promoting energy-efficient cooling technologies. However, the region still faces challenges in implementing sustainable cooling solutions, particularly for vulnerable populations living in inadequately ventilated buildings.
Children are among the most vulnerable to extreme heat. UNICEF reports that by the 2050s, four times as many South Asian children could be exposed to extreme heatwaves compared to the 2000s. This exposure threatens their health, education, and overall development.
In response to these escalating risks, experts advocate for a comprehensive “Marshall Plan” for climate resilience in South Asia. Such a plan would involve substantial investments in sustainable infrastructure, technology transfer, and international cooperation to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the region’s 1.9 billion people.
The World Bank’s report serves as a clarion call for immediate and coordinated action to address the mounting climate challenges in South Asia. Without significant intervention, the region faces a future marked by extreme heat, economic instability, and widespread health crises. Governments, private sectors, and international bodies must collaborate to implement effective adaptation strategies and ensure a resilient future for South Asia.
