Overview
- The World Meteorological Organization says 2025 is on pace to be the second or third warmest year on record, with January–August averaging 1.42°C above preindustrial levels.
- Greenhouse gas concentrations stand at record highs, making a near‑term overshoot of 1.5°C virtually unavoidable without rapid action, according to WMO leadership.
- A UNEP report projects the world will exceed 1.5°C within the next decade unless annual emissions fall 55% by 2035 from 2019 levels.
- Under current national commitments, UNEP estimates warming of 2.3–2.5°C this century, potentially reaching 2.8°C by 2100 if trends persist.
- UN data highlight rising impacts, including record‑low Arctic sea‑ice after this year’s refreeze and persistently low Antarctic extent, intensifying pressure ahead of COP30 in Brazil where proposals include a global environmental council.