State of the Global Climate 2024 Report: Alarming Temperature Records and Greenhouse Gases

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its State of the Global Climate 2024 report on March 14, 2025, confirming that 2024 was the warmest year on record, with a global mean near-surface temperature of 1.55 ± 0.13 °C above the pre-industrial baseline (1850-1900).

Greenhouse gas levels, particularly carbon dioxide, are at record highs. While 2024 specific figures are not fully available, the trend of rising concentrations continues, locking in future temperature increases.

NASA and NOAA also confirm this, with NASA estimating 1.47°C above the same baseline, showing a slight variation within measurement uncertainties. This suggests 2024 may have been the first year to exceed the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, though the long-term decadal average is still below, offering a complex picture of warming trends.

Extreme weather events in 2024, intensified by climate change, included heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires, with 26 out of 29 studied events linked to climate change, causing at least 3,700 deaths and displacing over 800,000 people – the highest since records began in 2008. Sea level rise accelerated to 4.7 mm per year from 2015 to 2024, compared to 2.1 mm from 1993 to 2002, with ocean heat and glacier retreat reaching record levels, posing long-term risks.

State of the Global Climate 2024 Report: Detailed Climate Indicators

In the WMO Global Climate 2024 Report we also find a detailed breakdown of key climate indicators, with specific numbers where available:

Climate Indicator2024 StatusComparison with Previous Years
Global Temperature1.55 ± 0.13 °C above pre-industrial (WMO); 1.47°C (NASA)Warmest on record; exceeds 1.5°C for the first time
Greenhouse GasesRecord high (CO2 ~420 ppm, based on 2023 trend)Continuing to rise; 2023 levels were 151% of pre-industrial
Ocean HeatRecord highAccelerating; irreversible for centuries
Sea Level RiseRecord high, 4.7 mm/year (2015-2024)4.7 mm/year vs. 2.1 mm/year (1993-2002)
Antarctic Sea IceRecord lowSignificant loss; unprecedented retreat
GlaciersRecord retreatAccelerating; contributing to sea level rise
Extreme Weather Events26 out of 29 studied intensified by climate changeCaused ~3,700 deaths, displaced over 800,000

The temperature data shows a slight discrepancy between WMO (1.55 ± 0.13 °C) and NASA (1.47°C), likely due to different measurement methodologies, but both confirm 2024 as the warmest year, with the past 10 years (2015-2024) being the warmest decade on record since 1880. NASA also noted 15 consecutive months of record temperatures from June 2023 to August 2024, highlighting an unprecedented heat streak.

Greenhouse gas levels, while not fully quantified for 2024, are inferred from 2023 data, with CO2 at 420.0 ppm, methane at 1934 ppb, and nitrous oxide at 336.9 ppb, representing 151%, 265%, and 125% of pre-industrial levels, respectively. This trend suggests continued escalation, driven by fossil fuel emissions and reduced carbon absorption by forests, as noted in the WMO’s Greenhouse Gas Bulletin.

Ocean heat and sea level rise are at record highs, with the WMO reporting an acceleration to 4.7 mm per year from 2015 to 2024, compared to 2.1 mm from 1993 to 2002. This irreversible trend, lasting hundreds of years, is compounded by record lows in Antarctic sea ice and glacier retreat, contributing to long-term sea level rise risks.

State of the Global Climate 2024 Report: Socio-Economic Impacts and Extreme Weather

Extreme weather events in 2024 had profound impacts, with the Global Climate 2024 Report noting that climate change intensified 26 out of 29 studied events, adding 41 days of dangerous heat and causing at least 3,700 deaths. These events, including heatwaves topping 50°C multiple times, floods, droughts, and wildfires, displaced over 800,000 people – the highest since records began in 2008.

The economic toll is immense, with billions in damages, particularly in vulnerable regions.

The record heat in 2024 is attributed to multiple factors, including as reported record greenhouse gas concentrations, the El Niño event, and other atmospheric dynamics. The WMO notes that CO2 emissions, both from fossil fuels and land-use changes, continue to rise, with drought conditions exacerbating emissions from deforestation and forest degradation fires during the 2023-2024 El Niño. NASA’s analysis, available at NASA Earth Data, confirms record increases in CO2 emissions, particularly in 2022-2023, suggesting a similar trend for 2024.

The WMO’s call for enhanced early warning systems and climate services, supported by initiatives like the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch, is vital for protecting vulnerable communities.

Critical Juncture in the Fight Against Climate Change

The 2024 data presented in the Global Climate 2024 Report signals a critical juncture in the fight against climate change. While the annual average temperature briefly exceeded the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, the long-term decadal average remains below, offering a narrow window for action.

However, the accelerating pace of warming, driven by greenhouse gas emissions and compounded by natural phenomena, again showing the urgency of reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy.

FAQ on the State of the Global Climate 2024 Report

1. Was 2024 really the warmest year on record?

Yes, according to the WMO’s Global Climate 2024 Report, 2024 had a global mean near-surface temperature of 1.55 ± 0.13 °C above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900), making it the warmest year in the 175-year observational record. NASA confirms this with a slightly lower estimate of 1.47 °C, but both agree it surpassed all previous records.

2. Did 2024 exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold?

The annual average temperature in 2024 likely exceeded 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. However, the long-term average (over decades) is still between 1.34-1.41 °C, meaning the Paris Agreement threshold hasn’t been formally breached yet. A single year above 1.5 °C doesn’t indicate a permanent exceedance.

3. What caused the record heat in 2024?

Several factors contributed: record-high greenhouse gas levels (e.g., CO2 at ~420 ppm based on 2023 trends), the El Niño event, changes in the solar cycle, a major volcanic eruption, and reduced cooling aerosols. Rising emissions from fossil fuels and deforestation fires also played a significant role.

4. How high were greenhouse gas levels in 2024?

Exact 2024 figures aren’t fully available as of March 19, 2025, but 2023 data showed CO2 at 420.0 ppm, methane at 1934 ppb, and nitrous oxide at 336.9 ppb—151%, 265%, and 125% of pre-industrial levels, respectively. The trend suggests even higher levels in 2024.

5. What happened to the oceans in 2024?

Ocean heat reached a record high, with warming accelerating and CO2 absorption increasing acidification. Sea levels rose to a new high, averaging 4.7 mm per year from 2015-2024 (compared to 2.1 mm/year from 1993-2002), driven by melting glaciers and sea ice.

6. How bad was glacier and sea ice loss in 2024?

Glaciers experienced record retreat, and Antarctic sea ice hit a record low. This rapid melting contributed to sea level rise and could disrupt global ocean circulation, affecting climate worldwide.

7. What were the extreme weather impacts in 2024?

Climate change intensified 26 out of 29 studied weather events, including heatwaves (some exceeding 50 °C), floods, droughts, and wildfires. These caused at least 3,700 deaths, displaced over 800,000 people (a record since 2008), and led to billions in economic losses.

8. Why does a single year above 1.5 °C matter?

It’s a warning sign of accelerating warming. While it doesn’t mean the Paris Agreement goal is lost, it shows how close we are to the threshold. The long-term average is what counts, but 2024’s heat highlights the urgency of cutting emissions.

9. Can we reverse the damage from 2024?

Some impacts, like ocean warming and sea level rise, are irreversible for centuries, even if emissions stop. However, reducing greenhouse gases now can limit further warming and extreme weather, protecting future generations.

10. What’s being done about this?

The WMO calls for better early warning systems (e.g., Early Warnings for All initiative) and climate services to protect communities. Global efforts like the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch aim to address glacier loss and monitor emissions.

11. How does this affect me personally?

Depending on where you live, you might face more heatwaves, floods, or droughts, impacting food prices, water availability, and safety. Displacement and economic losses could also hit harder in vulnerable areas.

12. What’s the outlook after 2024?

Without drastic emission cuts, warming will continue, pushing the long-term average past 1.5 °C within decades. The record trends of 2024 signal a critical need for action to mitigate worse outcomes.

13. Where can I learn more?

Check the WMO’s State of the Global Climate 2024 report (wmo.int), NASA’s updates (nasa.gov), or NOAA’s announcements (noaa.gov).


I have a background in environmental science and journalism. For WINSS I write articles on climate change, circular economy, and green innovations. When I am not writing, I enjoy hiking in the Black Forest and experimenting with plant-based recipes.