Renewable energy and air quality show measurable climate action progress
Europe's renewable energy grid and air quality show documented climate action progress amid continued warming.
Event / Science
European Climate Assessment 2025
Copernicus Climate Change Service and World Meteorological Organization release annual assessment documenting record-breaking heat, wildfires, and ice loss across Europe in 2025, with Europe warming at twice the global average rate and 2025 ranking among the three warmest years on record.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 29 Apr, 11:37 UTC
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What happened
Renewable energy contributed 46.4% of European electricity for third consecutive year
Renewable energy sources, primarily wind and solar, accounted for 46.4% of European electricity production in 2025, marking the third consecutive year that renewables exceeded fossil fuels. Solar energy alone contributed 12.5% of total electricity generation. In the EU, 14 of 27 member states produced more electricity from renewable sources than fossil fuels.
European soil moisture ranked third-driest since 1992
European soil conditions in 2025 ranked as the third-driest year for soil moisture since 1992. Annual precipitation was 10-40% below average in northwestern and eastern Europe. In May 2025, one-third of the European continent experienced extreme agricultural drought conditions.
El Niño conditions probable for 2026, possibly emerging May-July
The World Meteorological Organization indicated that El Niño conditions are probable in 2026, potentially emerging between May and July. The latest seasonal climate outlooks showed clear changes in equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures rising rapidly. El Niño episodes significantly amplify global warming effects.
European winter snow cover fell to third-lowest level on record
In March 2025 at the end of winter, snow cover in Europe was 30% below the 1991-2020 average, with a surface area 1.3 million km² less than normal. This area is equivalent to the combined surface of France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The reduced snow cover represents the third-lowest measurement since records began.
World recorded third-warmest year in 2025 at +1.47°C above pre-industrial baseline
Global mean temperature in 2025 was +1.47°C above pre-industrial levels, making it the third-warmest year in instrumental records. This narrowly trails 2024 (+1.6°C) and 2023, which remain the two warmest years on record. The global trend continues to show warming despite year-to-year variability.
Record 1.03 million hectares burned across Europe in 2025
Wildfires consumed 1,034,550 hectares across Europe in 2025, setting a new record. This area is larger than the entire island of Cyprus. Spain and Portugal accounted for 65% of the burned area. Unprecedented wildfire activity was also recorded in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, and the Mediterranean region.
Fennoscandia experienced longest heat wave on record with 21 consecutive days above 30°C
The Fennoscandia region (Finland, Sweden, Norway, and the Kola Peninsula) experienced an unprecedented heat wave in July 2025, with 21 consecutive days at temperatures exceeding 30°C. A peak temperature of 34.9°C was recorded on July 17 in Frosta, Norway, just below the Arctic Circle. This wave lasted nearly twice as long as the previous record of 11 days.
Greece saw 85% of population affected by temperatures at or above 40°C
In 2025, heat waves caused approximately 85% of Greece's population to experience temperatures at or above 40°C. These extreme temperatures affected the country throughout the summer season and contributed to the broader pattern of intense heat across Southern Europe.
Storms and floods killed 21 people and affected 14,500 in Europe in 2025
Storms and flooding events in Europe during 2025 resulted in at least 21 deaths and affected approximately 14,500 people. Storm Eowin, which struck Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Norway, was classified as the most powerful storm experienced in the UK in over a decade.
Europe warmed twice as fast as global average in 2025
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization, Europe warmed at a rate of +0.56°C per decade since 1996, compared to the global average of +0.27°C per decade. This makes Europe the fastest-warming continent. In 2025 specifically, 95-99% of Europe experienced temperatures above the 1991-2020 average, with the year ranking among the three warmest on record for the continent.
Approximately 70% of European rivers flowed below normal discharge levels
In 2025, roughly 70% of European rivers operated below average discharge rates compared to the 1992-2020 baseline. Low river flows affected hydroelectric power generation capacity and nuclear power plant cooling systems across the continent, raising concerns about energy infrastructure resilience.
Iceland recorded second-largest ice loss in history after 2005
Iceland experienced its second-largest annual ice loss in recorded history during 2025, surpassed only by the ice loss year of 2005. The unprecedented melt of Icelandic glaciers contributes to rising sea levels and reflects accelerating climate change in the Arctic region.
Turkey recorded temperature exceeding 50°C for first time
Turkey experienced temperatures exceeding 50°C for the first time on record in 2025, marking a significant climate milestone. This extreme temperature event affected the country as part of broader heat waves affecting southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean region.
86% of European ocean regions experienced at least one major heat wave in 2025
A record 86% of European ocean regions experienced at least one strong marine heat wave during 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of record ocean temperatures in European waters. The Mediterranean Sea experienced its second-warmest year on record, with half the basin experiencing severe or extreme heat conditions.
France experienced fourth-warmest year since temperature records began
France ranked as having the fourth-warmest year since meteorological measurements commenced in 2025. The country was affected by heat waves starting in June alongside Spain, Portugal, and parts of the United Kingdom, and again in August with Spain and Portugal.
Arctic warming three to four times faster than global average
The Arctic region is warming at a rate three to four times faster than the global average, with temperature increases of 0.75°C per decade. This accelerated Arctic warming pulls up Europe's continental average warming rate, as the Arctic is geographically part of the European region.
Deaths from fine particle pollution declined 57% over 20 years in Europe
Over the past 20 years, Europe has significantly improved air quality, resulting in a 57% reduction in deaths attributed to fine particulate matter pollution. This improved air quality has had the paradoxical effect of reducing cloud cover and increasing solar radiation reaching Earth's surface, contributing to faster warming.
Mediterranean Posidonia seagrass coverage declined 34% over 50 years
Mediterranean Posidonia seagrass meadows, which extend across nearly 20,000 km² along coastal areas, have declined by 34% over the past 50 years, primarily due to climate change and rising temperatures. These marine ecosystems are critical for biodiversity, fish habitat, coastal erosion protection, and carbon sequestration at rates 30 times faster than tropical rainforests.
Spain endured record 50+ days with temperatures exceeding 32°C heat index
Spain experienced over 50 days in 2025 where heat index temperatures exceeded 32°C, breaking previous records. Southern regions of Spain and Portugal experienced six extreme days with temperatures exceeding 46°C. This extended heat contributed significantly to the record wildfires in the Iberian Peninsula.
Greenland lost 139 gigatonnes of ice in 2025
The Greenland ice sheet lost 139 gigatonnes of ice during 2025, equivalent to 100 Olympic swimming pools. This mass loss contributed to a 4-millimeter increase in global sea levels. The accelerating ice loss is a major indicator of climate change acceleration in the Arctic region.
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Cascading climate impacts transform Europe's land and waters in 2025
Europe's 2025 climate impacts cascaded across wildfires, droughts, ocean heat, and floods simultaneously.
European heat waves shatter records across Mediterranean and Nordic regions
Multiple European regions set extreme heat records in 2025, from Nordic heat waves to Mediterranean temperatures above 50°C.
Europe warming at double the global rate, Arctic faces triple acceleration
Europe and Arctic warming dramatically outpace global average, 2025 marks third-warmest year.