Transboundary climate risks can undermine effective responses to climate change – new evidence shows
As global warming accelerates, transboundary climate risks are projected to rise, endangering societies and economies worldwide. According to the first flagship report from the Adaptation Without Borders partnership, no country is immune to these risks which can affect any country, at any time. It reveals new evidence on ten globally significant transboundary climate risks, underscoring the urgency for international cooperation in tackling these challenges.
Overview of the 10 transboundary climate risks and case studies assessed in this report (see Figure A.1, p.11) Photo credit: Authors’ elaboration.
“Evidence shows that transboundary climate risks are a global concern, yet the international, national and local mechanisms to adapt to climate change are not yet equipped to meet this common challenge. We need a global response to transboundary climate risks if we are to build collective resilience to climate change,” said Katy Harris, Director of Adaptation Without Borders and Senior Policy Fellow at SEI.
Transboundary climate risks, which are triggered by a climate hazard in one country, traverse borders, continents and oceans to affect communities on the other side of the world. In our increasingly interconnected world, these risks propagate through shared natural resources, ecosystems, trade connections, financial flows and human mobility.
The Global Transboundary Climate Risk Report uncovers new evidence on ten transboundary climate risks affecting vital sectors and regions, including high-mountain water resources, open ocean fish stocks, industrial supply chains, energy and global finance systems as well as human health, livelihoods, mobility patterns and physical and mental well-being.
“The report also shows that transboundary climate risks combine with non-climate drivers such as poverty and conflict to undermine our collective wellbeing. It is clear they have the greatest impact on the poorest and most vulnerable people, exacerbating inequities and the root causes of their vulnerability,” added Katy Harris.
Climate change adaptation efforts can also yield transboundary consequences, as local and national decisions can trigger cross-border effects that directly impact people’s livelihoods and well-being. Thus, it is crucial for stakeholders at all levels to recognize and address cross-border and cascading climate impacts and develop adaptation strategies which factor in their own, far-reaching, implications.
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Read the report
The Global Transboundary Climate Risk Report
Further information and interview requests
Ulrika Lamberth, Senior Press Officer, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), + 46 73 801 70 53, ulrika.lamberth@sei.org, sei.org
Brigitte Béjean, Director of Communications, Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), +33 6 03 26 93 57, iddri.org
Charlotte King, Climate Consortium Communications Lead, Global Risks and Resilience Programme, c.king@odi.org.uk, odi.org
Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research and policy organization that tackles environment and development challenges. We connect science and decision-making to develop solutions for a sustainable future for all. Across our eight centres in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, we engage with policy processes, development action and business practice throughout the world. www.sei.org @SEIresearch @SEIclimate
