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The indicator shows total economic losses from weather- and climate-related extreme events (such as windstorms, flooding, heatwaves, cold spells, droughts or wildfires) per country and per year (since 1980). A moving average for the previous 30 years is added because of the large interannual variability of the losses.
Among the Member States, Croatia has a greater vulnerability to climate risks. Croatia is experiencing longer and more frequent droughts and floods, which have significant repercussions for various sectors, particularly agriculture and energy. These climate challenges result in lower hydropower production, higher water demand and increased energy requirements for cooling. Additionally, important sectors such as fisheries, forestry and tourism are profoundly affected, as are human health and biodiversity.
The coastal region is highly susceptible to wildfires, particularly during the summer months. The most significant fire damage occurred in 2017, when over 48 000 ha were scorched.
The largest amount of weather damage in the past five years occurred in 2023 and was due to severe storms, flooding and hail, resulting in human casualties and the destruction of buildings and public infrastructure. The second largest amount of damage was recorded in 2022 and was primarily due to drought and hail.
Implementing both non-structural and structural measures for climate change adaptation will help reduce potential future damage costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
References and footnotes
- ↵European Commission, Commission staff working document – 2023 country report – Croatia, SWD(2023) 611 final of 24 May 2023, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52023SC0611.
- ↵Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Izvješće o stanju okoliša u Republici Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od 2017. do 2020. godine, Zagreb, 2022, https://www.haop.hr/sites/default/files/uploads/dokumenti/06_integrirane/dokumenti/niso/Izvjesce o stanju okolisa u RH za radoblje od 2017 do 2020.pdf.
- ↵Ministry of Finance, 2010–2018: Prijavljene štete, Zagreb, 2024, https://mfin.gov.hr/istaknute-teme/koncesije-i-drzavne-potpore/prirodne-nepogode/prijavljene-stete-po-vrstama-prirodnih-nepogoda-po-zupanijama/3050; Ministry of Finance, 2019–2024: Prijavljene štete, Zagreb, 2024, https://mfin.gov.hr/istaknute-teme/koncesije-i-drzavne-potpore/prirodne-nepogode/prijavljene-stete-po-vrstama-prirodnih-nepogoda-po-zupanijama/3050.
- ↵Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Integrated national energy and climate plan for the Republic of Croatia for the period 2021–2030, Zagreb, 2023, https://mingo.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/KLIMA/NECPdraftUpdateENGv1EC.pdf.
- ↵Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Climate change adaptation strategy in the Republic of Croatia for the period until 2040 with a view to 2070, Zagreb, 2020, https://mingo.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/KLIMA/Climate change adaptation strategy.pdf.