World Loses Up To $800 Billion In Infrastructure Every Year As Climate Disasters Intensify, CDRI Warns
New Delhi: The growing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters are exposing the vulnerability of critical infrastructure worldwide, with up to $800 billion in direct infrastructure losses recorded annually, the Director General of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Amit Prothi, has said.
Prothi, who spoke to international journalists covering the BRICS meetings in New Delhi, said the figure represented only direct damage.
At the same time, the wider economic impact could be about seven times higher.
He cited wildfires, floods, earthquakes and cyclones across different regions as evidence of the mounting risks to infrastructure systems, warning that governments must factor changing climate patterns into infrastructure planning and design.
“On average, we lose about $700 to $800 billion of infrastructure every year. That’s only the direct damage,” Prothi said.
Established by India in 2019, CDRI has grown from 24 founding members to 70, with the Philippines expected to become the 71st.
The coalition brings together countries and multilateral institutions to share expertise and help governments build infrastructure that can withstand future climate and disaster risks.
Prothi said resilient telecommunications, energy and transport systems were particularly important, noting that the failure of communication networks during disasters could leave communities unable to contact emergency services or loved ones.
He also stressed the need for faster post-disaster recovery, saying prolonged reconstruction increases the economic and social burden on affected communities.
CDRI, he said, is supporting discussions within the G20, BRICS, COP and United Nations processes on disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and resilient infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Prothi said the coalition would focus increasingly on Africa, small island developing states, mountain regions and cities, while exploring artificial intelligence, satellite data and predictive modelling to improve disaster preparedness and early warning systems.
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