Tags:EnvironmentUPSC
For Prelims: El Niño, Parts per million (ppm), Earth's energy imbalance, Global temp anomaly (Jan-Sep 2026), CO₂ concentration (2025), Methane concentration (2025), Ocean heat record, Report name
For Mains: Earth's energy imbalance, ocean heat uptake, climate extremes, just transition
Source:
The Hindu
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- WMO stands for World Meteorological Organization.
- 2026 is one of the four warmest years on record globally.
- Global average temperature Jan-Sep 2026 was 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Atmospheric CO₂ concentration reached 426.8 ppm in 2025.
- Ocean heat is on track for a tenth consecutive record year.
Why in the news?
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports 2026 will be one of the four warmest years on record, with global average temperature 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels. CO₂ concentration hit 426.8 ppm (53% rise since 1750), and ocean heat is set for a tenth consecutive record year. The report was released at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
Summary
- Global average temperature for Jan-Sep 2026 was 1.47°C above pre-industrial (1850-1900) average, making 2026 one of the four warmest years on record.
- Atmospheric CO₂ concentration reached 426.8 ppm in 2025, a 53% increase from 278 ppm in 1750; methane rose 167% to 1,948 ppb.
- Ocean heat is on track for a tenth consecutive record year, absorbing 90% of excess heat from the Earth's energy imbalance.
Highlights
2026: One of Four Warmest Years
Jan-Sep 2026 global average temperature was 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels, higher than 2025 and 2023 full-year averages.
Greenhouse Gases at Record Levels
CO₂ at 426.8 ppm (53% increase) and methane at 1,948 ppb (167% increase) since 1750, driving Earth's energy imbalance.
Ocean Heat Tenth Consecutive Record
Oceans absorb 90% of excess heat; 2026 is on track for a tenth successive year of record ocean warmth.
Background
The WMO's 'State of the Climate Report' is an annual assessment of global climate indicators. This edition was released on the opening day of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye. The report highlights that the past four years (2023-2026) are the warmest in the 177-year observational record, driven by rising greenhouse gas concentrations and a strengthening El Niño.
Key Analysis and Impact
The Earth's energy imbalance has reached its highest level since monitoring began, as greenhouse gases trap unprecedented heat. CO₂ levels (426.8 ppm) are 53% above pre-industrial levels, and methane has risen 167%. The ongoing El Niño, forecast to be one of the strongest on record, will continue to fuel high temperatures into 2027. Impacts include European heatwaves causing over 30,000 excess deaths and an estimated 146.5 million people in India exposed to extreme heat in April 2026.
Way Forward
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for faster emissions cuts, a just transition from fossil fuels, and increased climate finance for vulnerable nations. The report underscores the urgency of meeting Paris Agreement targets and enhancing adaptation measures, especially for developing countries like India that face severe heatwave risks.
Greenhouse gas concentrations: 1750 vs 2025
| Gas | 1750 level | 2025 level | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ | 278 ppm | 426.8 ppm | 53% |
| Methane (CH₄) | 729 ppb | 1,948 ppb | 167% |
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- El Niño
- A climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean that causes warming of sea surface temperatures, leading to global temperature increases and extreme weather events.
- Parts per million (ppm)
- A unit of measurement for the concentration of a gas in the atmosphere, indicating the number of molecules of the gas per million molecules of air.
- Earth's energy imbalance
- The difference between the amount of energy Earth receives from the sun and the amount it radiates back into space. A positive imbalance means the planet is accumulating heat.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: 1.47°C above pre-industrial (Jan-Sep 2026); CO₂ 426.8 ppm (53% increase since 1750); methane 1,948 ppb (167% increase)
- Legal Point: Paris Agreement (temperature goal)
Don't make this mistake!
Students may confuse 'pre-industrial' baseline (1850-1900) with other baselines, or mix up the percentage increase in CO₂ (53%) with methane (167%). Also, 2026 is 'one of the four warmest' not 'the warmest' (2024 remains warmest).
Write these in mains answers
- Earth's energy imbalance, ocean heat uptake, climate extremes, just transition
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says 2026 will be one of the four hottest years ever recorded. The main reason is that greenhouse gases like CO₂ and methane trap more heat, upsetting the Earth's energy balance. CO₂ levels are now 53% higher than before the Industrial Revolution, and the oceans are getting warmer for the tenth year in a row.
- WMO stands for World Meteorological Organization.
- 2026 is one of the four warmest years on record globally.
- Global average temperature Jan-Sep 2026 was 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Atmospheric CO₂ concentration reached 426.8 ppm in 2025.
- Ocean heat is on track for a tenth consecutive record year.
- Environment: Climate change and global warming
- Geography: Atmosphere and climate
Related concepts: El Niño, Parts per million (ppm), Earth's energy imbalance
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which international organization publishes the 'State of the Climate Report'?
Explanation: The WMO publishes the annual 'State of the Climate Report'. The IPCC assesses climate science but does not publish this annual report. UNEP focuses on environmental policy, and WHO on health. Hence option B is correct.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the WMO State of the Climate Report 2026:
- 1.The global average temperature for January-September 2026 was 1.47°C above the pre-industrial average.
- 2.Atmospheric CO₂ concentration increased by 167% since 1750.
- 3.The ocean heat is on track for a tenth consecutive record year.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the anomaly was 1.47°C above pre-industrial. Statement 2 is incorrect: CO₂ increased by 53%, not 167% (methane increased by 167%). Statement 3 is correct: 2026 is set to be the tenth successive record year for ocean heat. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
What was the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide in 2025 as per the WMO report?
Explanation: The report states CO₂ concentration reached 426.8 ppm in 2025. 278 ppm is the 1750 baseline. 1,948 ppb and 729 ppb are methane values for 2025 and 1750 respectively. Hence option B is correct.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary reason for the rising global temperatures highlighted in the WMO report?
Explanation: The report identifies the rising Earth's energy imbalance as the key reason, driven by greenhouse gases trapping unprecedented heat. Volcanic activity and cloud changes are not cited as primary causes. Ocean current changes are part of natural variability, not the main driver. Hence option B is correct.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the global temperature anomaly for 2026 according to the WMO report?
The global average temperature for January-September 2026 was 1.47°C above the pre-industrial average (1850-1900), making 2026 one of the four warmest years on record.
2. What are the CO₂ and methane concentrations reported by the WMO for 2025?
Atmospheric CO₂ concentration reached 426.8 ppm in 2025 (a 53% increase from 278 ppm in 1750), and methane reached 1,948 ppb (a 167% increase from 729 ppb in 1750).
3. Where and when was the WMO State of the Climate Report 2026 released?
The report was released on November 9, 2026, at the COP31 UN climate meeting in Antalya, Türkiye.
All sources
- Original9 November 2026 · Read story
