5 out of 6 climate trackers show 2024 crossed 1.5°C mark; 2 clock warming higher than 1.6°C

The year 2024 was both the warmest year on record as well as the first year when the average global temperature broke the 1.5 degrees Celsius (°C) threshold over pre-industrial level, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said on Friday.

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI: According to WMO's consolidated analysis of the six datasets, the global average surface temperature was 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. "Today's assessment from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) proves yet again - global heating is a cold, hard fact," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement.

While the threshold is intact - scientists typically use a longer-term average to measure the warming - the number highlights that the world is either close or has passed a key tipping point as far as the climate crisis is concerned.

"Individual years pushing past the 1.5 degree C limit do not mean the long-term goal is shot.