Global Warming Indicators Hit Record Levels as COP31 Calls for Urgent Action

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that the world’s climate indicators continue to deteriorate, with global temperatures, ocean heat and greenhouse gas concentrations reaching alarming levels.

Presenting its State of the Climate Update at the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya, Türkiye, on Wednesday, November 11, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the Earth’s energy imbalance had reached its highest level since monitoring began in 1960.

She explained that the planet was absorbing significantly more energy than it was releasing, resulting in accelerating heat accumulation and increasingly severe weather conditions.

According to the update, the past 12 years have been the hottest on record, while ocean heat content and sea levels have also reached record levels.

Global average temperatures between January and September 2026 were approximately 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels, Saulo said.

The report also highlighted rising greenhouse gas concentrations. Carbon dioxide levels are now more than 50 per cent above pre-industrial levels, while methane concentrations have nearly tripled.

Despite the worsening indicators, Saulo pointed to progress in early-warning systems as evidence that investment in climate preparedness can save lives.

She said the number of countries with early-warning systems had more than doubled over the past decade, adding that deaths from disasters were six times lower in places where such systems were strong.

The WMO urged governments to increase investment in weather observation, forecasting and early-warning infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable communities where monitoring capacity remains limited.

The findings reinforce calls at COP31 for countries to move beyond climate promises and accelerate practical measures to reduce emissions, strengthen resilience and protect populations from extreme weather.

The conference continues through November 20, with climate finance, adaptation and implementation of existing commitments among the major issues under discussion.