Enviro News Asia, Geneva —The world is on track to experience the hottest decade in human history, driven by rising greenhouse gas emissions and insufficient global mitigation efforts. This stark warning was issued in the latest report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released today.
The report, titled State of the Global Climate 2025, reveals that the average global temperature between 2016 and 2025 is projected to be 1.3°C higher than pre-industrial levels, edging dangerously close to the 1.5°C threshold set under the Paris Agreement. Scientists caution that without decisive and coordinated action, the world risks reaching irreversible climate tipping points, including Arctic ice melt, Amazon forest loss, and the collapse of coral reef ecosystems.
“The data is undeniable — our planet is heating up faster than ever. The time for half-measures is over,” said Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the WMO. “Every ton of CO₂ matters, every tenth of a degree counts, and every year of delay makes our mission harder.”
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasized the urgent need to accelerate climate finance, expand renewable energy, and promote nature-based solutions to curb the climate crisis.
“We cannot solve this crisis by continuing to fund fossil fuels. The transition to a green economy is not only an imperative — it is the greatest investment opportunity of the century,” she said.
The report also calls for stronger international cooperation, enhanced climate accountability mechanisms, and reinforced legal and litigation frameworks to ensure countries uphold their Paris Agreement commitments. (*)
