Global warming reaches 1.37°C as 1.5°C limit approaches

Thursday 11 June 2026 - 09:03

By: Dakir Madiha

Global warming reaches 1.37°C as 1.5°C limit approaches

A new international assessment shows that human-driven global warming reached 1.37°C in 2025, placing the planet close to the 1.5°C threshold set under international climate agreements. The findings come from a team of more than 70 scientists who tracked key indicators of the global climate system, including greenhouse gas emissions, energy imbalance, and long-term temperature trends.

The report indicates that global emissions of greenhouse gases reached 56.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2024, driven mainly by continued fossil fuel use. Scientists estimate that human activity has produced an average warming of 1.24°C over the 2016–2025 period, while the total observed warming stands at 1.26°C over the same timeframe. The rate of human-caused warming is estimated at 0.27°C per decade, a pace described as unprecedented in recent observational records. Researchers also highlight a growing planetary energy imbalance, which reflects the excess heat accumulating in the Earth system and has reached its highest level since measurements began.

Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide reached 425.6 parts per million in 2025, while methane levels climbed to 1,936.3 parts per billion. The remaining carbon budget to stay below 1.5°C is estimated at about 130 gigatonnes of CO2 from 2026 onward, roughly equivalent to three years of emissions at current rates. Scientists warn that this narrow margin places the 1.5°C target at risk within the early 2030s if emissions do not decline significantly.

The report also documents accelerating physical impacts linked to warming. Global sea levels have risen by 23 centimeters since 1901, and marine heatwave days have more than tripled between 1991 and 2025. Researchers note that rising temperatures are intensifying long-term changes across oceans and climate systems. Experts involved in the analysis also warn that disruptions to international climate monitoring systems, including funding pressures on key databases, could weaken the ability to track future changes accurately.