BRUSSELS, Dec 9, 2025 – 2025 is likely the world’s second- or third-hottest year, the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported Tuesday.

Moreover, the year may only be surpassed by 2024, which set record-breaking heat. This follows last month’s COP30 summit, where countries failed to agree on major greenhouse gas cuts. Consequently, geopolitical tensions and policy rollbacks, especially by the U.S., are worsening climate challenges.

Global Temperatures Continue to Climb

Additionally, 2025 is expected to mark the first three-year period when average global temperatures exceeded 1.5 °C (2.7 °F) above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900). C3S emphasized that these milestones reflect accelerating climate change. Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at C3S, said, “These milestones are not abstract – they reflect the accelerating pace of climate change.”

Extreme Weather Strikes Worldwide

This year, extreme weather hit multiple regions. For instance, Typhoon Kalmaegi killed over 200 people in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Spain suffered its worst wildfires in three decades, fueled by conditions made more likely by climate change.

Furthermore, natural weather variations cause annual temperature fluctuations, but long-term data confirms a clear warming trend. The World Meteorological Organization reports that the last 10 years have been the hottest since records began.

Global Warming Targets at Risk

Significantly, the global threshold of 1.5 °C is the limit agreed under the 2015 Paris climate accord to prevent catastrophic impacts. Although the world has not technically crossed it over decades, the U.N. warned this year that the goal is no longer realistically achievable. Governments must now accelerate CO2 emission cuts to limit overshooting the target.

C3S cross-checks its records back to 1940 with global data reaching 1850. This robust verification confirms that human activity, mainly fossil fuel emissions, is the primary driver of the warming trend.

Ultimately, 2025 is a stark reminder of global climate urgency. Policymakers face mounting pressure to act decisively as temperatures continue to break historical norms.

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