SDG 13: Climate Action

How can we protect people from climate change's 4 greatest threats?

A man pushes a bike along a flooded road after a heavy rainfall in Kochchikade, Sri Lanka November 11, 2021. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

By 2050, about 400 million people could be exposed to severe riverine or coastal flooding. Image: REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

Harry Bowcott
Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
Lori Fomenko
Manager of Research Science, McKinsey & Company
Alastair Hamilton
Partner, McKinsey & Company
Mihir Mysore
Partner, McKinsey and Company
Alexis Trittipo
Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company
Mekala Krishnan
Senior Fellow, McKinsey Global Institute, McKinsey & Company
Oliver Walker
Director, Vivid Economics
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SDG 13: Climate Action

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Proportion of global population affected by climate hazards under different warming scenarios.
Even in moderate warming scenarios, severe climate hazards are likely to become much more common. Image: McKinsey Analysis

Number of people, billions, exposed to mild, moderate and severe heat stress.
In 2.0°C warming scenario, an additional 1.6 billion people could be exposed to heat stress by 2050. Image: McKinsey Analysis

Global urban water stress, billions of people.
By 2050, water stress is projected to increase as demand will outplace supply Image: McKinsey Analysis

Share of company population exposed to climate hazards in a scenario with warming 2.0°C above preindustrial levels by 2050.
Over half the global population could be exposed to a climate hazard. Image: McKinsey Analysis
Population exposed to climate hazards by vulnerability grouping by 2050.
Climate hazards cold affect a large number of people in low-income countries. Image: McKinsey Analysis
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Related topics:
SDG 13: Climate ActionClimate ChangeInequalitySDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
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