Overview

• 2024 was confirmed as the hottest year globally and in Europe, with temperatures in Europe rising 2.92°C above pre-industrial levels.
• A stark east-west climate divide emerged in Europe, with the east experiencing extreme heat and dryness and the west facing record rainfall and flooding.
• Germany, situated at the intersection of these extremes, faced heightened risks from both heat stress and severe flooding, complicating adaptation efforts.
• Extreme weather events in 2024 led to significant human and economic losses, including hundreds of fatalities from storms and floods across Europe.
• Experts stress the urgency of reducing fossil fuel use and accelerating renewable energy adoption to curb the worsening impacts of climate change.