With the UN’s 2027 goal of universal early warning system (EWS) coverage fast approaching, funding distribution remains uneven, with over half of global investments concentrated in just five countries China, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, launched in 2022, aims to protect vulnerable populations from increasingly severe climate-related disasters. While EWS projects saw record funding in 2023, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) still face significant resource gaps.
To track and optimize funding, the UN and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched the Global Observatory for Early Warning System Investments in December 2024. This platform monitors funding from key financial institutions like the World Bank and the Green Climate Fund, highlighting that 75% of EWS financing comes through loans or credits, leaving many nations struggling to implement robust systems.
As of February 2025, the observatory tracks 329 projects across 127 countries, with Asia and Africa receiving the largest share of funding. Yet, regions like the Americas and the Caribbean report lagging progress in multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) coverage.
With climate disasters ranking as the second most severe global risk through 2027, the need for comprehensive EWS coverage has never been more urgent. To meet this challenge, greater collaboration with international finance institutions and equitable funding allocation will be crucial. Ensuring universal access to life-saving early warnings could protect millions from the escalating impacts of climate change.