Copyright thejournal
We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates Daft.ie Property Allianz Home The 42 Sport TG4 Entertainment The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories The years between 2015 and 2025 will individually have been the warmest since observations began 176 years agoAlamy Climate emergency 2025 to be among top three warmest years on record, UN warns ahead of COP30 climate summit While this year will not surpass 2024 as the hottest ever recorded, it will rank second or third. 5.06pm, 6 Nov 2025 Share options AN ALARMING STREAK of exceptional temperatures is continuing, with 2025 set to be among the hottest years ever recorded, the United Nations today said. However, the UN insisted that the trend could still be reversed. While this year will not surpass 2024 as the hottest ever recorded, it will rank second or third, the UN’s weather and climate agency said, capping more than a decade of unprecedented heat. Graph mapping rising mean temperaturesWorld Meteorological Organization World Meteorological Organization Meanwhile concentrations of greenhouse gases grew to new record highs, locking in more heat for the future, the World Meteorological Organization warned in a report released ahead of next week’s COP30 UN climate summit in Brazil. Together, the developments make “it clear that it will be virtually impossible to limit global warming to 1.5C in the next few years without temporarily overshooting this target,” WMO chief Celeste Saulo said in a statement. The 2015 Paris climate accords aimed to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels – and to 1.5C if possible. Saulo insisted that while the situation was dire, “the science is equally clear that it’s still entirely possible and essential to bring temperatures back down to 1.5C by the end of the century”. Advertisement ‘We must act now’ UN chief Antonio Guterres emphasised what was at stake. “Each year above 1.5 degrees will hammer economies, deepen inequalities and inflict irreversible damage,” he said in the report. “We must act now, at great speed and scale, to make the overshoot as small, as short, and as safe as possible – and bring temperatures back below 1.5C before the end of the century.” But the world remains far off track. Already, the years between 2015 and 2025 will individually have been the warmest since observations began 176 years ago, WMO said. And 2023, 2024 and 2025 figure at the very top of that ranking. In today’s report, the WMO said that the mean near-surface temperature – about two metres (six feet) above the ground – during the first eight months of this year stood at 1.42C above the pre-industrial average. At the same time, concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and ocean heat content continued to rise this year, up from 2024′s already record levels, it found. In its annual report on Tuesday, the UN Environment Programme also confirmed that fresh emissions of greenhouse gases increased by a further 2.3% last year, an increase driven by India followed by China, Russia and Indonesia. ‘Urgent action’ The WMO said the impact of temperature rises can be seen in the Arctic sea ice extent, which after the winter freeze this year was the lowest ever recorded. Related Reads Teething issues in host city as leaders gather - what you need to know about this year's COP Opinion: Our future is at stake, but wealthy countries aren't putting their money where their mouth is EU strikes deal on climate targets after marathon talks - but it's 'not necessarily pretty' World Meteorological Organization World Meteorological Organization The Antarctic sea ice extent meanwhile tracked well below average throughout the year, it said. The UN agency also highlighted numerous weather and climate-related extreme events during the first eight months of 2025, from devastating flooding to brutal heat and wildfires, with “cascading impacts on lives, livelihoods and food systems”. In this context, the WMO hailed “significant advances” in multi-hazard early warning systems, which it stressed were “more crucial than ever”. Throughout 2025, extreme events caused massive economic and social upheaval and loss of life.World Meteorological Organization World Meteorological Organization Since 2015, it said, the number of countries reporting such systems had more than doubled, from 56 to 119. It hailed in particular progress among the world’s least developed countries and small island developing states, which showed a five-percent hike in access in the past year alone. However, it lamented that 40% of the world’s countries still no such early warning systems. “Urgent action is needed to close these remaining gaps,” it said. The Journal's climate change newsletter Follow the biggest news story of our times. Sign up for our monthly climate newsletter You are now signed up View 13 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “2025 to be among top three warmest years on record, UN warns ahead of COP30 climate summit”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “2025 to be among top three warmest years on record, UN warns ahead of COP30 climate summit”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app. This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation. Download and sign into the app to continue. Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Climate Change Climate emergency News in 60 seconds breaking point Prison deaths up 50% as watchdog points to 'degrading' conditions 19 mins ago Avian Influenza Is there a risk to humans from bird flu, and what will happen to the Christmas turkey? 31 mins ago San Francisco Nancy Pelosi, first woman to serve as US House speaker, to step down at next election aged 86 Belfast Magistrates Court Belfast woman (54) who falsely offered to donate kidney to man awaiting transplant is jailed Outsourcing Unions slams RTÉ move to close its in-house documentary unit Oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge Polasaithe don oideachas Ghaeilge seolta ag an Aire ach easpa físe cáinte ag eagrais Man (43) remanded in custody after €3.2m worth of drugs seized in Dublin Engine caught fire and fell off UPS cargo plane before crash in Kentucky as death toll rises to 11 Miss Universe contestant 'maliciously' berated by host for not posting ads Sorry scenes Rory McIlroy receives letter of apology after Ryder Cup abuse The Morning Lead Here are the derelict buildings around Ireland that councils asked to CPO in October Stephen McDermott more from us Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online
