2025 Climate Insights
Our 2025 synthesis highlights three core signals shaping risk and opportunity. First, temperatures remained near the upper range of records, with heat exposure rising fastest in cities lacking tree cover and cooling access. Second, energy-related emissions showed tentative declines in several large economies as renewables displaced fossil power at peak times. Third, extreme rainfall clustered in shorter windows, producing damaging floods in some basins while drought persisted elsewhere. These patterns underscore the dual mandate for decision makers: accelerate clean energy while investing in resilience that protects health, infrastructure, and food systems.
°C vs 1850–1900 baseline
% global power from renewables
days with extreme heat in some cities
Gt CO₂e decline vs 2023 est.
Key findings for 2025
Temperature anomalies stayed elevated early in the year before easing, yet heat-health risks remained high due to humidity and overnight temperatures. The power sector continued to pivot: solar, wind, and batteries trimmed fossil peaks and cushioned price spikes. Methane controls reduced leaks in several producing regions, while industrial emissions proved stubborn without deeper electrification. Urban flooding, fueled by short intense storms, highlighted the value of green infrastructure and better drainage. These signals point to practical levers: upgrade grids, streamline permitting, retrofit buildings, and expand local heat and flood resilience programs.
Heat exposure
Health risks rise with humid heat and warm nights; targeted cooling, shade, and alerts save lives.
Power transition
Renewables and storage shaved peaks, cut emissions, and improved grid reliability in multiple markets.
Water extremes
Shorter, heavier rain events increased damage where drainage and planning lag behind growth.
Industry challenge
Hard-to-abate sectors need electrification, efficiency, and clean fuels to bend the curve.
Regional snapshots
Impacts and opportunities varied widely by region. Coastal cities faced tidal flooding on top of storm surges, while interior regions managed heat and wildfire smoke. Markets with strong interconnection and storage saw fewer blackout risks during heat waves. Rural communities benefited from distributed solar and microgrids that stabilized power and lowered costs. The case studies here highlight what worked in 2025: heat action plans tied to community health networks, floodplain buyouts paired with parks, and industrial clusters that shared clean power and hydrogen infrastructure.
How to use these insights
Each finding links to underlying datasets and a short note on uncertainties. Use the filters in the Data section to refine by sector, region, and metric. Our Actions library maps insights to practical steps with costs and co-benefits.
Questions and clarifications
Why did anomalies ease mid-year?
What data sources are used?
How do you handle uncertainty?
