Summary

2024 is set to become Earth’s hottest year on record, with global temperatures briefly surpassing the critical 1.5°C warming threshold compared to pre-industrial levels, according to the EU’s Copernicus climate agency.

This milestone, driven by escalating greenhouse gas emissions and intensified by factors like El Niño, highlights the urgency for action as world leaders prepare for the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan.

Despite record adaptation spending, the UN reports a severe funding gap, with the current $28 billion falling far short of the $187-$359 billion needed annually to tackle climate-related impacts like heatwaves and droughts.