Extreme heat now leads as the fastest-growing climate hazard in Asia-Pacific, according to ESCAP’s 2025 report. Rising temperatures impact food systems, health, cities, rural jobs, infrastructure, and ecosystems everywhere, says the report — Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025: Rising Heat, Rising Risk. .
In 2024, the hottest year globally, Bangladesh’s heatwave hit 33 million people. India faced around 700 heat-related deaths during prolonged episodes. These events signal escalating risks across the region.
Projections Reveal Alarming Heat Exposure Trends
By 2100, disaster losses could surge from $418 billion to $498 billion under worst-case scenarios. South and South-West Asia face chronic heat, with over 300 days yearly above 35°C heat index in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. South-East Asia and northern Australia also trend toward extreme exposure. Urban heat islands amplify this by 2-7°C in megacities like Delhi, Karachi, Dhaka, and Manila. Vulnerable groups—children, elderly, and outdoor workers—bear the heaviest burden.
Urban Megacities Face Intensified Heat Stress
Cities like Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Jakarta, and Phnom Penh grow significantly hotter due to dense construction. The urban heat island effect compounds global warming, pushing temperatures far beyond averages. Heat stress could double mortality by 2050 without action.
Working hours lost to heat may double to 8.1 million full-time equivalents by 2030, hitting agriculture and construction hardest. These trends threaten economic growth and inequality sharply.
ESCAP Calls for Urgent, Science-Based Solutions
Heat demands center stage in multi-hazard planning, says UN Under-Secretary-General Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana. Policymakers must anticipate impacts, cut exposure, and protect at-risk groups urgently. Only 54% of global weather services warn for extreme heat now.
Expanding systems in 57 countries could save 100,000 lives yearly. Regional cooperation through interoperable alerts and trusted communication proves essential. Innovation and data drive effective responses forward.
Three New Regional Initiatives to Build Resilience
ESCAP launches key programs to combat heat effectively. First, climate-resilient social protection scales up for inclusive support. Second, cross-border green cooling corridors reduce urban temperatures regionally. Third, space-based solutions enhance early warnings and preparedness. These initiatives target vulnerable communities directly. They integrate science, technology, and cooperation for lasting impact across borders seamlessly.
Broader Multi-Hazard Risks Compound Heat Threats
Beyond heat, Asia-Pacific faces earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and cyclones damaging infrastructure. From 2020-2024, disasters averaged higher than the prior decade, with 180+ events in 2024 alone. Heat exacerbates droughts and wildfires, worsening air pollution with PM2.5 and toxins. Economic losses climb under all scenarios, especially high-emission paths. Adaptation gaps amplify these interconnected dangers significantly.
Q&A: Key Insights from ESCAP Experts
Q: Why is extreme heat the top emerging threat?
A: Heat episodes grew fastest recently, hitting record levels in 2024 and affecting millions across diverse sectors.
Q: Which areas face chronic heat by 2100?
A: South/South-West Asia leads, with Southeast Asia and parts of Australia following sharply in exposure.
Q: How does urban heat island worsen risks?
A: Dense buildings trap heat, adding 2-7°C to city temperatures beyond global warming effects.
Q: Can early warnings save lives effectively?
A: Yes, broader heat-health systems in 57 countries could prevent about 100,000 deaths annually.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What launched the 2025 Asia-Pacific Disaster Report?
A: ESCAP released it at the Ninth Session of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction in Bangkok through November 28, 2025.
Q2: How much could disaster losses increase by 2100?
A: From $418 billion currently to $498 billion in high-emission scenarios, driven by heat and exposure growth.
Q3: Who faces the greatest heat risks?
A: Children, older persons, urban poor, and low-wage outdoor workers in densely populated areas suffer most.
Q4: What metrics define severe heat stress?
A: Heat index above 35°C signals danger; 41°C brings extreme risk of heat stroke with prolonged exposure.
Q5: How does heat impact economies regionally?
A: Lost work hours double by 2030, slowing growth in labor-intensive sectors like farming and building.
ESCAP’s report urges immediate action as extreme heat transforms Asia-Pacific’s risk profile dramatically. Strategic policies, innovation, and cooperation can protect millions, cut losses, and build resilience for a hotter future.
