Khaberni - A recent study issued by the international relief and development organization "Christian Aid" revealed that the ten most expensive climate disasters in the world in 2025 caused economic losses exceeding $120 billion, in a year described as the worst in terms of the impacts of global warming and the acceleration of climate change effects.
The study showed that droughts, wildfires, heatwaves, and storms caused widespread damage, confirming that each of the top ten disasters alone cost more than a billion dollars in insured losses, reflecting the growing economic burden of the climate crisis.
California wildfires the most costly
Palisades and Eaton wildfires in California, USA, topped the list of the most costly climate disasters of the year, after igniting in January 2025, causing losses estimated at about $60 billion, in addition to indirectly causing the deaths of more than 400 people.
The study noted that the fires destroyed thousands of homes and commercial buildings, including luxury homes belonging to several celebrities, such as Paris Hilton and actor Eugene Levy, star of the Schitt's Creek series.
In a striking comment, the Governor of California said that the state no longer suffers from just a "fire season," but that the risk of fires exists throughout the year, especially since 9 of the top 10 largest fires in the state's history occurred in the last decade.
Countries in South and Southeast Asia rank second
Coming in second place was a series of cyclones and heavy seasonal rains and floods that hit Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Malaysia in November, resulting in insured losses of $25 billion and killing more than 1,750 people.
Warnings of an escalating crisis
Patrick Watt, CEO of "Christian Aid," stated that these disasters serve as an alarm bell for what is coming if the world does not accelerate its transition away from fossil fuels, adding that the economic and human costs will continue to rise unless serious and immediate actions are taken.
For her part, Joanna Haigh, Honorary Professor of Atmospheric Physics at Imperial College London, emphasized that the world is paying an increasing price for a crisis with known solutions, stressing that these disasters are not natural, but are a direct result of the continuous expansion in the use of fossil fuels and political delay in addressing climate change.
She added that the greatest burden does not lie only on major economies, but is also borne by poorer and less resilient communities, warning that suffering will worsen unless governments act to reduce emissions and fund adaptation measures.
The report also referred to other climatic events less costly financially, but no less critical, such as wildfires in the United Kingdom and drought in Canada. Last summer, extensive fires spread across marshland and grasslands in East London, leading to the evacuation of dozens of residents.
The most costly climate disasters in 2025
1- Palisades and Eaton Fires – United States – January – more than $60 billion
2- Cyclones in South and Southeast Asia – Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia – November – about $25 billion
3- Heavy rains and floods – China – June to August – $11.7 billion
4- Hurricane Melissa – Jamaica, Cuba, Bahamas – Mid to late 2025 – $8 billion
5- Monsoon rains, floods, and landslides – India, Pakistan – June to September – about $5.6 billion
6- Cyclones and tropical storms – Philippines – Mid-year to November – more than $5 billion
7- Drought – Brazil – January to June – $4.75 billion
8- Cyclone Alfred (post-tropical) – Australia – February – $1.2 billion
9- Cyclone Garance – Réunion Island (East Africa) – February – $1.05 billion
10- Heavy rains and flash floods – Texas, United States – July – $1 billion
