According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), 2024 has been confirmed as the warmest year on record globally, with average temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time since record-keeping began in 1850. The global average temperature reached approximately 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels during 2024, marking a significant milestone in climate change history.
The C3S data indicates that 2024 surpassed the previous record set in 2023, with an average global temperature of 15.1°C, which is 0.72°C above the 1991–2020 average and 0.12°C higher than 2023.
The rise in temperature has been attributed primarily to human-induced climate change, alongside contributions from natural phenomena like the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
This unprecedented warming has led to extreme weather events, including intense heatwaves and heavy rainfall across various regions.
The past decade (2015-2024) has seen each year ranking among the ten warmest on record, emphasizing a worrying trend of escalating temperatures and climate instability.
The findings underscore the urgent need for global climate action to mitigate further temperature increases and their associated impacts on ecosystems and human societies. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, “Blazing temperatures in 2024 require trail-blazing climate action in 2025,” highlighting the critical nature of addressing climate change proactively.