Key facts
- Scientists report widespread, rapid, and intensifying climate changes globally.
- Many observed climate changes are unprecedented in hundreds of thousands of years.
- Limiting warming to 1.5°C requires immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Global temperatures are projected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming in the next two decades.
- The planet is currently about 1.2°C warmer than pre-industrial levels, with 2024 being the hottest year on record.
- A new collective goal aims for at least $300 billion per year in climate finance by 2035.
Scientists are emphasizing the need to look beyond carbon dioxide (CO2) to effectively combat global warming, highlighting that many observed climate changes are unprecedented and some, like sea level rise, are irreversible.
The latest reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicate that the Earth's climate is changing rapidly and intensifying across all regions. The planet is already approximately 1.2°C warmer than in the late 1800s, with 2024 confirmed as the hottest year on record at about 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. Projections suggest that without immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to 1.5°C, as stipulated by the Paris Agreement, will be unattainable.
Emissions from human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, are the main drivers of this warming. To meet the Paris Agreement target, greenhouse gas emissions must be nearly halved by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The WMO estimates an 80% probability that at least one of the next five years will be hotter than 2024.
While investments in renewable energy sources like wind and solar have increased significantly, a broader transformation of energy, industry, transport, food, agriculture, and forestry systems is deemed essential for preserving a livable planet. Climate action requires substantial financial investment, with a new collective goal set to mobilize at least $300 billion annually by 2035 to support developing countries in their adaptation and transition to greener economies. Adaptation measures, such as building storm-resistant housing and installing reliable water supplies, are crucial, particularly for vulnerable populations, and can yield significant returns, with early warning systems potentially saving lives and property at a fraction of the cost.