Asia has almost all world’s most at-risk cities from pollution, natural disasters, other environmental issues: report

Of the 100 most vulnerable cities, 99 are in Asia, according to the report by research firm Verisk Maplecroft

Indonesia’s Jakarta topped the list for combined risk, while China had 37 cities, and India 43, in the top 100

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Residents walk along a flooded street on the outskirts of Jakarta in February. The Indonesian capital topped the list of combined risk based on all nine factors analysed. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:54pm, 13 May 2021Updated: 10:22pm, 13 May 2021

Asian cities face the greatest risk from environmental issues including air pollution and natural disasters, according to a report by research firm Verisk Maplecroft.

Of the 100 most vulnerable cities, 99 are in Asia, according to the report released on Thursday. Of those, 37 are in China and 43 are in India, the world’s first- and third- biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, respectively.

Globally, 1.5 billion people live in 414 cities that are at high risk from pollution, water shortages, extreme heat, natural hazards and the physical impacts of climate change.

Environmental activists gather during a rally to mark Earth Day in Jakarta last month. Photo: EPA

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, topped the list of combined risk based on all nine factors analysed by Verisk Maplecroft.

India is home to 13 of the 20 riskiest cities in the world, a result of its extreme levels of air and water pollution.

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