Reports from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction or World Bank assessments

2024 Hottest Year on Record, UN Urges Drastic Emission Cuts Amid Climate Breakdown

Dec 30, 2024, 08:48 AM

The year 2024 is set to be recorded as the hottest in history, marking a decade of unprecedented heat, according to the United Nations. The UN has called for a drastic reduction in emissions in 2025 to steer away from a 'path to ruin.' The average daily temperature in 2024 reached 15.12 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record set in 2023. This year's heat has been attributed to human-induced climate change, which added an average of 41 extra days of extreme heat globally. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that the world is witnessing 'climate breakdown in real time.' The effects of climate change were evident in extreme weather events throughout the year, including heatwaves, floods, and cyclones, which caused significant human and economic losses. The year 2024 also saw the global temperature exceed the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels, and the 10 hottest years on record have occurred in the last decade. The economic toll of these disasters is estimated at over 200 billion dollars, with some estimates reaching 310 billion dollars. Additionally, 26 million people in southern Africa are at risk of hunger due to prolonged drought.