Link to: Discussion paper

Link to: Technology brief

Link to: Policy brief

High-resolution maps (see below)

Mapping emerging trends and risk hotspots

Human-induced climate change is modifying patterns of extreme weather, including floods, cyclones and droughts. In many cases, climate change is making these hazards more intense, more frequent, less predictable and/or longer lasting. This magnifies the risk of ‘disasters’ everywhere, but especially in those parts of the world where there are already high levels of human vulnerability.

This study identifies the most likely humanitarian implications of climate change for the next 20-30 year period. The authors use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to map specific hazards associated with climate change – specifically: floods, cyclones and droughts – and place them in relation to factors influencing vulnerability. The results identify hotspots of high humanitarian risk under changing climatic conditions.

The maps are available for reproduction.

Human Implications Map 1 - Overall Vulnerability

Human Implications Map 2 - Vulnerability South Asia

Human Implications Map 3 - World Flood Risk

Human Implications Map 4 - Flood Risk East Africa

Human Implications Map 5 - World Cyclone Risk

Human Implications Map 6 - Cyclone Risk SE Asia

Human Implications Map 7 - World Drought Risk

Human Implications Map 8 - Drought Risk Sub-Saharan Africa

Human Implications Map 9 - All Hazards 1

Human Implications Map 10 - All Hazards 2

Human Implications Map 11 - Hotspots - Conflict

Human Implications Map 12 - Hotspots - World

Human Implications Map 13 - Hotspots - Cumulative World

The report was commissioned by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).