Climate change is a global issue, but the needs differ across the countries and regions that the World Bank Group serves. We are tailoring our approaches and helping our clients come together to address the many concerns that cut across borders.
Climate change is a key development issue for Sub-Saharan Africa given the region’s widespread poverty and unique geography. The continent has warmed about half a degree Celsius over the last century, and the average annual temperature is likely to rise an additional 3-4 degrees by 2099.
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With a diverse climate and large population, the East Asia and Pacific region generates relatively large amounts of carbon dioxide, while some countries here have become emitters of global significance. The impacts of climate change pose a particular threat to small Pacific islands and coastal settlements.
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Countries in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region are already facing primarily negative consequences from recent climate variability, with increasing frequency and cost of natural disasters.
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Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are emerging as key players on climate change issues. The World Bank is partnering with them through innovative platforms for dialogue and action on the ground, as well as supporting South-South cooperation.
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The Middle East and North Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change, even though its greenhouse gas emissions are relatively small. The region has the world’s worst water scarcity, a reliance on climate-sensitive agriculture, people and economic activity concentrated in coastal zones, and conflict-ridden areas where pressure on resources could escalate violence and political turmoil.
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Geography coupled with high levels of poverty and population density has rendered South Asia especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This could compound development problems and further strain the resources needed to sustain growth, urbanization, and industrialization.
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This paper reviews the scientific literature to date on climate change and sea level rise. There appears to be a consensus across studies that global sea level is projected to rise during the 21st century at a greater rate than during the period 1961 to 2003 and unanimous agreement that SLR will not be geographically uniform.
Ocean warming is intensifying cyclone activity and storm surges. Vulnerability can be ascertained by overlaying Geographic Information System information with data on land, population density, agriculture, urban areas, wetlands, and gross domestic product in areas likely to experience more intense storms and a one-meter sea-level rise.
