Canada, Singapore, and South Korea have emerged as global leaders in climate change adaptation, demonstrating the highest levels of readiness to withstand and recover from the economic and environmental impacts of a warming planet, according to new data from BloombergNEF (BNEF).
The report ranks countries based on their preparedness to manage the escalating effects of climate change, such as extreme weather, shifting agricultural patterns, and rising sea levels. High-scoring countries, it noted, have not only implemented robust national strategies but are also reaping the benefits of their proactive approach.
These nations, BNEF said, are beginning to see early gains such as reduced climate losses, enhanced global competitiveness in climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture and resource management, and lower perceived risks among international investors. Their efforts have also fostered the growth of new markets focused on adaptation technologies and services.
Conversely, countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Thailand are lagging in their climate adaptation efforts. Some, like Saudi Arabia, face lower immediate exposure to climate risks, which has limited their incentive to invest heavily in resilience measures. However, experts warn that these nations could face unmitigated economic and environmental losses in the near future.
While the United States has incurred the greatest economic cost from climate-related damages globally, Bloomberg data shows it has built more engineered defences—such as flood barriers and coastal reinforcements—than any other country. Despite this, the report warns that federal adaptation programs remain underdeveloped and at risk of policy reversals.
Without stronger nationwide adaptation frameworks, the unpredictability and scale of future climate disasters could pose growing economic risks for the U.S., analysts caution.
Globally, the toll of climate-driven damages is escalating sharply. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates that climate-related losses topped $1.4 trillion in the past year—nearly ten times the total recorded in 2000. These losses are undermining health systems, economic development, and even geopolitical stability in vulnerable regions.
Experts say that with the world off course to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C warming target, climate damages will continue to mount unless countries accelerate adaptation alongside emission reduction efforts.
Economies that invest early in resilience, the report concludes, are not only safeguarding their citizens and ecosystems but are also positioning themselves as safer bets for investors seeking long-term stability amid global climate uncertainty.
