2024 could be the hottest year on record as humanity ‘sets the planet on fire’, UN warns

This year could be the hottest on record, with UN chief Antonio Guterres warning that humanity is paying the price for “setting the planet on fire.”

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said data from six global datasets from January to September shows 2024 could be the warmest year on record, with average global surface temperatures even exceeding 2023’s record heat.

UN Secretary-General Mr Guterres said: “Today the World Meteorological Organization and partners tell us that 2024 could be the hottest year on record – almost two months before it ends.

“Humanity is setting the planet on fire and is paying for it.”

And the EU’s Climate Change Service Copernicus (C3S) said its data for October showed it was “virtually certain” to be the world’s hottest year on record, with temperatures more than 1 year above pre-industrial times for the first time on record. .5°C.

According to the latest C3S data, global temperatures from January to October were 0.71°C warmer than the 1991-2020 average, the highest for that period, and 0.16°C warmer than that the same period in 2023 – the hottest year in the world to date.

As a result, it is now almost certain that 2024 will be the warmest year on record, scientists say.

And since temperatures in 2023 were 1.48°C above pre-industrial levels, according to European data, it is almost certain that temperatures in 2024 will be more than 1.5°C higher than before the industrial revolution, and likely more than 1.55°C above.

Under the Paris Climate Agreement, countries pledged to take action to limit temperature rise to 2°C above pre-industrial levels and work to keep it to 1.5°C, beyond which the most devastating impacts of hurricanes, floods, droughts, heat waves, loss of nature and rising sea levels expected.

The data also shows that October 2024 was the world’s second warmest month, second only to October 2023, with temperatures 1.65°C above pre-industrial levels.

This was the 15th month in a 16-month period that average global temperatures were more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

The figures, based on computer analysis and the “ERA5” dataset, which uses billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations around the world, come as countries prepare for the latest round of UN climate talks. , Cop29, in Azerbaijan.

Samantha Burgess, deputy director of C3S, said: “After 10 months into 2024, it is now almost certain that 2024 will be the warmest year on record and the first year with temperatures more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels according to the dataset ERA5.

“This marks a new milestone in world temperature records and should serve as a catalyst for raising the ambitions of the upcoming Cop29 climate change conference.”

Responding to the figures, Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said: “Our ailing planet is sending us every signal that it is in crisis – the latest being the deadly floods in Spain that claimed the lives of so many people and caused enormous damage.

“The time for hesitation and delay is long past. We need world leaders to break the emergency glass now and do everything in their power to prevent further damage.

“In addition to accelerating a just transition to a green, low-carbon economy, this means taking action that will protect people, property and infrastructure from the current and future impacts of climate change.”

Mr Childs also called on the UK to develop clearer plans to meet its nature and climate targets, as well as a “robust strategy” to prepare for extreme weather and to support countries on the front line of the climate crisis.”