2015-2024 declared hottest decade ever as COP29 kicks off in Baku

The past decade, spanning 2015 to 2024, has been the hottest ever recorded. This period witnessed unprecedented ice loss in glaciers, affecting sea levels and warming ocean temperatures.

In Short

• WMO’s State of the Climate 2024 Update issued a red alert
• Global mean surface air temperatures were 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised the far-reaching impacts

As COP29 convenes, the global community is met with a dire warning from the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The WMO’s State of the Climate 2024 Update issued a red alert, pointing at the swift acceleration of climate change within a single generation. The report points to rising greenhouse gas concentrations as the main driver behind these rapid changes.

The past decade, spanning 2015 to 2024, has been the hottest ever recorded. This period witnessed unprecedented ice loss in glaciers, affecting sea levels and warming ocean temperatures.

These shifts have led to extreme weather events — devastating storms, droughts, and wildfires — that disrupt both communities and economies around the world. The report paints a clear picture: climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality.

From January to September 2024, global mean surface air temperatures were 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels, a significant increase driven partly by a warming El Nino.

This figure was reached through an analysis of six international datasets, highlighting a growing consensus among climate scientists on the seriousness of this trend.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised the far-reaching impact of this climate crisis, noting its threats to health, sustainable development, and global peace.

He pointed out that the most vulnerable populations, particularly in low-income regions, bear the brunt of these changes, facing greater risks of displacement, food insecurity, and health issues.

The WMO’s findings demonstrates the urgency of COP29, where nations are gathered to discuss climate strategies and enhance commitments.

This year’s conference is seen as a crucial moment for global leaders to move beyond pledges and implement tangible solutions. As negotiations proceed, there is a collective push for action to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

With COP29 underway, all eyes are on world leaders and stakeholders to see if they can forge a path forward, addressing the immediate and severe consequences of climate change before it spirals further out of control.