LSEG’s new Net-Zero Atlas projects that half of the world’s largest 49 cities will be at high risk of one or more climate hazards by 2050.
Hazards covered in the analysis include floods, cyclones, heatwaves and water stress.
Cities in the Middle East and Southeast Asia are particularly vulnerable to multiple hazards, the Atlas explains. Jakarta is expected to experience at least quadruple the number of extreme heat days in 2050 as it did last year. And cities including Singapore, Surabaya, Dubai, Riyadh, and Jeddah face similar heatwave risks, which would be compounded by water stress.
This does not mean that cities in other geographies are immune to physical climate risks. LSEG predicts that, by 2050, London will experience a 133% increase in heatwave days and a 22% rise in water stress, and Manchester will face a 93% increase in heatwaves and a 45% rise in water stress.
In mainland Europe, Amsterdam’s heatwave days could almost double, its water stress could soar by 83% and its flood risk could increase by 60%. In Madrid, heatwave days could more than double and water stress could climb by 63%.
LSEG’s global head of SI research, Jaakko Kooroshy, said: “The cities in our study – nerve centres of the world economy that contribute almost 20% of global GDP and are home to 440 million people – are particularly exposed to climate risk.
“As we approach COP29, G20 countries need to urgently reduce emissions to prevent climate hazards from rapidly escalating. The next wave of national climate commitments will be critical for this. Nonetheless, even if the worst impacts of climate change can be prevented significant investment will be required to adapt cities to new climate extremes.”
