2020 will likely be one of three warmest years on record, according to the provisional 2020 WMO State of the Global Climate report. Ocean heat is at record levels. Extreme heat, wildfires and floods, as well as a record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season, have affected millions of people. Even with pandemic lockdowns slowing economic activity, atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases continued to rise.
At least 117 million people are displaced by conflict and persecution, with the climate crisis worsening their situation. UNHCR warns that extreme weather is forcing more families to flee again, as three in four displaced people now live in high-risk climate zones.
Cooling demand could triple by 2050, nearly doubling emissions. A sustainable pathway could cut them by up to 97 per cent, save trillions in energy costs, and expand life-saving cooling to those most at risk.
In Nepal, people are witnessing the impacts of climate change firsthand, from melting glaciers to drought-stricken plains. Communities are safeguarding lives and restoring livelihoods through nature-based solutions.