The annual report provides an independent assessment of progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement
Key findings
- Increased in Temperature: Annual mean surface temperature reached 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels in 2023, close to breaching the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement.
- Health Impacts: Heat-related mortality among people over 65 rose by 167% since the 1990s. It also affects physical activity, sleep quality etc.
- Indians faced moderate to serious risk of heat stress for 100 days/year, amounting to 2,400 hours of heat (2023)
- Economic Losses: The average annual economic losses from weather-related extreme events increased by 23% from 2010–14 to 2019–23, to US$227 billion.
- 181 billion potential labour hours were lost due to heat exposure in 2023 in India
- Inadequate Adaptation: Many countries lack sufficient health emergency management capacities, with only 68% reporting high implementation rates. Only 35% have early warning systems for heat-related illnesses.
Key Recommendations
- Complete Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments: Ensure that countries fulfill their commitments to better understand and address the health impacts of climate change.
- Implement Health-Focused Climate Policies: Develop and enforce policies that prioritize health in climate action
- Encourage Sustainable and Rapid Energy Transition: to clean energy sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and promoting renewable energy technologies.
