2024 first year to pass 1.5 degree threshold

Countries have been urged to double down on efforts to cut emissions after new data showed 2024 was the first year to see the 1.5C warming threshold breached.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year on record, based on six international datasets.

The past ten years have all been in the top ten, in an “extraordinary streak of record-breaking temperatures”.

UN chief António Guterres described the recent run of temperature records as "climate breakdown" and that countries needed to accelerate efforts to cut emissions.

UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the news was alarming but said that “have the answers to tackle this existential threat and give us energy security and create good jobs”.

“That is why this government has a mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, including accelerating to net zero,” he said.