Photograph: Jae C Hong/APClimate-related disasters caused severe economic harm in 2025, with the 10 most costly responsible for damage exceeding €100 billion. Fatalities directly caused by the fires numbered 31 but around 400 more are believed to have resulted indirectly. Wildfires destroyed 47,000 hectares of moor, woodland and highlands in Britain; 260,000 hectares in Portugal and 383,000 hectares in Spain. Drought crippled several countries in South America, Iran and west Asia while floods caused devastation in Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo. This means meeting our climate finance targets, investing in climate action, and breaking our dependence on fossil fuels to urgently reduce emissions.”

Source: The Irish Times December 27, 2025 16:32 UTC