CliF Vulnerability Index says Switzerland is well prepared for climate shocks

 Columbia Climate School, with support from the New York Rockefeller Foundation, has unveiled its new Climate Finance (CliF) Vulnerability Index. According to a statement, the index integrates countries' vulnerability to climate disasters such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, and earthquakes with their ability to take prevention, recovery, and rebuilding measures. 

The index’s interactive dashboard identifies current and future risk scenarios for 188 nations, including the most vulnerable. Switzerland ranks third among the most resilient countries, behind Norway and South Korea. Angola, Eritrea, and Guinea-Bissau occupy the lowest three places. Switzerland's score of 11.8 comprises values for economic vulnerability of 10.7 and climate risk of 13.0. Norway’s economic vulnerability is 10.5 and its climate risk is 0, giving a total of 5.3. Guinea-Bissau's scores are 90.1 and 91.8, with a total of 90.9.

The index is intended to support risk assessment and targeted resource allocation for different levels of vulnerability. It also aims to raise awareness of how communities at risk can be better reached. High borrowing costs and limited access to finance keep many countries in a vicious cycle of climate disaster response and recovery, according to the statement.

“The CliF Vulnerability Index provides a more realistic picture of risk, including the access to financing to address climate vulnerabilities," Jeff Schlegelmilch, Associate Professor of Climate and Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia Climate School, is quoted as saying. “Climate shocks are becoming more frequent and intense, yet many of the nations facing the highest threats are also heavily indebted, limiting their access to financial markets.”

According to the index, 65 countries and more than two billion people are in the red zone, where the risk of major hazards and/or disasters is high and access to finance is dwindling. Almost all 65 countries are classified as low- and middle-income countries. Of them, 43 are located in Sub-Saharan Africa. In contrast, eight of the 10 countries with the best response capacity are OECD members, including Switzerland.