Overview
- Heat-related deaths now average about 546,000 a year, up 23% since the 1990s, equating to roughly one life lost every minute.
- Wildfire smoke was linked to a record 154,000 deaths in 2024, and air pollution from burning fossil fuels contributes to an estimated 2.5 million deaths annually.
- Extreme heat drove a record 639 billion lost labour hours in 2024, with the heaviest GDP impacts reported in the least developed nations.
- Fossil fuel expansion persists as the 100 largest producers’ plans imply emissions about three times compatible with 1.5°C, backed by $611 billion in 2024 bank lending and $956 billion in 2023 government subsidies.
- India illustrates the scale of harm with 1.72 million deaths from anthropogenic air pollution in 2022 and 247 billion lost labour hours in 2024, alongside major income losses concentrated in agriculture and construction.