The United Nations has issued a dire warning about the escalating heat-related risks across Asia and the Pacific. This region is facing a growing threat from extreme heat, which is rapidly becoming the fastest-growing climate-related hazard. The Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025: Rising Heat, Rising Risk paints a concerning picture of the future if urgent action is not taken.
A Global Issue, Local Impact
The report, launched by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), emphasizes that rising temperatures are affecting everyone, everywhere. It highlights the expanding and intensifying risks to various aspects of life, including food systems, public health, urban living, rural livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
Record-Breaking Heatwaves
In 2024, the hottest year on record globally, Asia and the Pacific experienced severe heat episodes. For instance, a heatwave in Bangladesh impacted approximately 33 million people, while another in India resulted in around 700 fatalities. These events serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of extreme heat.
Projected Losses and Chronic Heat Exposure
The 2025 report presents new projections that highlight the magnitude of the threat. By 2100, regional disaster losses could soar from US$418 billion under the current scenario to a staggering US$498 billion under a worst-case climate scenario. The frequency of days exceeding critical heat thresholds is expected to increase dramatically, with South and South-West Asia, parts of South-East Asia, and northern and eastern Australia moving towards chronic heat exposure.
Urban Centres at Risk
Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures. Densely built cities like Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Delhi, Karachi, Dhaka, Manila, Jakarta, and Phnom Penh are projected to experience significant increases in heat, with the urban heat island effect adding an additional 2°C to 7°C on top of global warming. Vulnerable communities within these densely populated areas, such as children, older individuals, and outdoor low-wage workers, face the greatest risks.
A Call for Action
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, emphasizes the need for policy responses that anticipate impacts, reduce exposure and vulnerability on a large scale, and protect those most at risk. She believes that with urgency, clarity, and cooperation, lives and livelihoods across the region can be safeguarded.
The report calls for strategic, long-term action backed by science, innovation, and regional cooperation. It stresses the importance of placing heat at the forefront of multi-hazard planning, supported by heat-ready early warning systems that utilize interoperable alerting, agreed metrics, and trusted last-mile communication.
Saving Lives with Early Warning Systems
Currently, only 54% of global meteorological services issue warnings for extreme temperatures. The report notes that expanding heat-health warning systems in just 57 countries could save approximately 100,000 lives each year. This statistic underscores the potential impact of early warning systems in mitigating the effects of extreme heat.
ESCAP's Regional Initiatives
To assist countries in dealing with extreme heat, ESCAP is planning three new regional initiatives. These include scaling up climate-resilient and inclusive social protection schemes, establishing cross-border green cooling corridors, and utilizing innovative space-based solutions to enhance heat preparedness and early warning systems.
A Forum for Action
The report was launched at the Ninth Session of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction, which is meeting in Bangkok until November 28, 2025. This intergovernmental forum serves as a platform to review the expanding disaster risk landscape and explore forward-looking solutions to strengthen regional resilience.
Read the full report to delve deeper into the findings and recommendations: https://www.unescap.org/kp/2025/rising-heat-rising-risk-policy-pathways-regional-resilience.
