A report released today by XDI (Cross Dependency Analysis) has revealed that 1 in 12 hospitals worldwide could face partial or total shutdowns as a result of extreme weather events driven by climate change. The report highlights the urgent need for countries to curb fossil fuel emissions to prevent widespread disruption in emergency healthcare services.
Significantly, In India, out of 53,473 Indian hospitals analysed, 9.6% of hospitals will be high-risk category by 2100. Today in India 2,700 of the country’s 53,473 hospitals are already at high risk of partial or complete shutdown from extreme weather events. If fossil fuels are not phased out, this will increase to more than 5,100 by the end of the century. XDI (Cross Dependency Initiative) has been a leader in physical climate risk and adaptation analytics since 2007. Working with governments, corporations, and the international finance sector.
Dr. Karl Mallon, Director of Science and Technology at XDI, emphasized the escalating impact of climate change on global health, stating, “What happens when severe weather results in hospital shutdowns? Our analysis shows that without a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, the risks to global health will be exacerbated further.”
Key Findings from the 2023 XDI Global Hospital Infrastructure Physical Climate Risk Report:
Without urgent action on fossil fuel emissions, up to 1 in 12 hospitals worldwide, totaling 16,245, could face a high risk of total or partial shutdown by the end of the century.
A staggering 71% (11,512) of these high-risk hospitals are located in low and middle-income countries.
Limiting global warming to 1.8 degrees Celsius through a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels would halve the damage risk to hospital infrastructure compared to a high-emissions scenario.
South East Asia currently has the highest percentage of hospitals at high risk, with 18.4% facing a potential shutdown by the end of the century.
By 2050, South Asia is projected to have a third of the world’s most high-risk hospitals, increasing to 5,894 by 2100 if emissions remain high.
The report emphasizes the vulnerability of hospitals located on coastlines and near rivers, with coastal inundation expected to become the most significant hazard by 2100.
“The most obvious thing to dramatically reduce this risk to hospitals, and keep communities safe, is to reduce emissions,” urged Dr. Karl Mallon.
Call to Action: Governments Urged to Address High-Risk Hospitals
In a bid to address the imminent threat, XDI is releasing the names, locations, and risk levels of over 200,000 hospitals worldwide. Governments are urged to conduct further analysis to understand and reduce the risk posed to critical healthcare infrastructure.
“Governments have a duty to populations to ensure the ongoing delivery of critical services. For individual governments not to take action on this information is a blatant disregard for the well-being of their citizens,” stated Dr. Mallon.
About the 2023 XDI Global Hospital Infrastructure Physical Climate Risk Report:
The report analyzes the vulnerability of over 200,000 hospitals to six climate change hazards and emphasizes the need for global leaders to address physical climate risks. It precedes the inaugural Health Day at the COP28 UN Climate Conference, held from November 20 to December 12 in the United Arab Emirates.
Significantly, In India, out of 53,473 Indian hospitals analysed, 9.6% of hospitals will be high-risk category by 2100. Today in India 2,700 of the country’s 53,473 hospitals are already at high risk of partial or complete shutdown from extreme weather events. If fossil fuels are not phased out, this will increase to more than 5,100 by the end of the century. XDI (Cross Dependency Initiative) has been a leader in physical climate risk and adaptation analytics since 2007. Working with governments, corporations, and the international finance sector.
Dr. Karl Mallon, Director of Science and Technology at XDI, emphasized the escalating impact of climate change on global health, stating, “What happens when severe weather results in hospital shutdowns? Our analysis shows that without a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, the risks to global health will be exacerbated further.”
Key Findings from the 2023 XDI Global Hospital Infrastructure Physical Climate Risk Report:
Without urgent action on fossil fuel emissions, up to 1 in 12 hospitals worldwide, totaling 16,245, could face a high risk of total or partial shutdown by the end of the century.
A staggering 71% (11,512) of these high-risk hospitals are located in low and middle-income countries.
Limiting global warming to 1.8 degrees Celsius through a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels would halve the damage risk to hospital infrastructure compared to a high-emissions scenario.
South East Asia currently has the highest percentage of hospitals at high risk, with 18.4% facing a potential shutdown by the end of the century.
By 2050, South Asia is projected to have a third of the world’s most high-risk hospitals, increasing to 5,894 by 2100 if emissions remain high.
The report emphasizes the vulnerability of hospitals located on coastlines and near rivers, with coastal inundation expected to become the most significant hazard by 2100.
“The most obvious thing to dramatically reduce this risk to hospitals, and keep communities safe, is to reduce emissions,” urged Dr. Karl Mallon.
Call to Action: Governments Urged to Address High-Risk Hospitals
In a bid to address the imminent threat, XDI is releasing the names, locations, and risk levels of over 200,000 hospitals worldwide. Governments are urged to conduct further analysis to understand and reduce the risk posed to critical healthcare infrastructure.
“Governments have a duty to populations to ensure the ongoing delivery of critical services. For individual governments not to take action on this information is a blatant disregard for the well-being of their citizens,” stated Dr. Mallon.
About the 2023 XDI Global Hospital Infrastructure Physical Climate Risk Report:
The report analyzes the vulnerability of over 200,000 hospitals to six climate change hazards and emphasizes the need for global leaders to address physical climate risks. It precedes the inaugural Health Day at the COP28 UN Climate Conference, held from November 20 to December 12 in the United Arab Emirates.
