European countries are facing an unprecedented climate crisis, with 2024 being the warmest year on record for Europe. The climate crisis has led to severe flooding, widespread drought, and record-breaking heatwaves. The European State of the Climate 2024 report, released in April 2025, highlights the alarming state of the climate in Europe.
Temperature and Heat Stress
2024 was the warmest year on record for Europe, with record-high annual temperatures in almost half of the continent. The numbers of days with’strong’,’very strong’ and ‘extreme heat stress’ were all the second highest on record. 60% of Europe saw more days than average with at least’strong heat stress’. The heat stress days and tropical nights are increasing in Europe, with 2024 seeing the second-highest number of heat stress days and tropical nights on record.
Sea Surface Temperature
For the year as a whole, Sea Surface Temperature (SST) for the European region was the highest on record, at 0.7°C above average, and for the Mediterranean Sea, at 1.2°C above average. The high SST contributed to the severe flooding in some parts of Europe.
Flooding and Storms
Europe experienced the most widespread flooding since 2013. Almost one third of the river network saw flooding that exceeded at least the ‘high’ flood threshold. Storms and flooding affected an estimated 413,000 people in Europe, with at least 335 lives lost. The flooding was severe in central, eastern and southeastern regions, with record-breaking numbers of days with’strong’ and’very strong’ heat stress in these areas.
Renewable Energy
The proportion of electricity generation by renewables in Europe reached a record high in 2024, at 45%. Renewable power generation and electricity demand are highly sensitive to weather conditions, and the climate-driven potential for power generation from solar photovoltaic reflected the contrasting east (sunnier) and west (cloudier) conditions.
Glaciers
The United Nations have declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. ESOTC 2024 data show that glaciers in all European regions saw a loss of ice. Central Europe is one of the regions in the world where glaciers are shrinking the fastest, and the report includes a compelling infographic representing how much glaciers in the Alps have changed since the 1970s.
Wildfires
In September, fires in Portugal burned around 110,000 ha (1100 km2) in one week, representing around a quarter of Europe’s total annual burnt area. An estimated 42,000 people were affected by wildfires in Europe.
Climate Policy and Action
51% of European cities have adopted dedicated climate adaptation plans, representing encouraging progress from 26% in 2018. The report highlights that continued efforts will unlock even greater potential to adapt to climate challenges effectively. Extreme weather events pose increasing risks to Europe’s built environment and infrastructure and the services they support.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation
The interactive map of key events also features a new layer highlighting examples of climate resilience and adaptation initiatives in cities across Europe. These initiatives can help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Conclusion
The European State of the Climate 2024 report highlights the alarming state of the climate in Europe. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the climate trends and climate-related impacts in Europe, and highlights the importance of climate policy and action to address the climate crisis. Europe is the fastest-warming continent, and the impacts of climate change here are clear. The report emphasizes the need for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
- European countries are facing an unprecedented climate crisis, with 2024 being the warmest year on record for Europe.
- The climate crisis has led to severe flooding, widespread drought, and record-breaking heatwaves.
- 51% of European cities have adopted dedicated climate adaptation plans, representing encouraging progress from 26% in 2018.
- The proportion of electricity generation by renewables in Europe reached a record high in 2024, at 45%.
- Glaciers in all European regions saw a loss of ice, and central Europe is one of the regions in the world where glaciers are shrinking the fastest.
| Year | Temperature | SST | Flooding | Renewable Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Record-high temperatures in almost half of the continent | 0.7°C above average, 1.2°C above average in the Mediterranean Sea | Most widespread flooding since 2013 | Record-high proportion of electricity generation by renewables (45%) |
“Europe is the fastest-warming continent, and the impacts of climate change here are clear. 2024 was the warmest year on record for Europe, with record temperatures in central, eastern and southeastern regions. The climate crisis has led to severe flooding, widespread drought, and record-breaking heatwaves.” – Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General
Widespread drought affected eastern Europe, while southeastern Europe experienced its longest heatwave on record in July 2024, lasting 13 consecutive days and affecting 55% of the region. Renewable energy is playing an increasingly important role in Europe’s energy mix, with the proportion of electricity generation by renewables reaching a record high in 2024, at 45%. However, the climate-driven potential for power generation from solar photovoltaic reflected the contrasting east (sunnier) and west (cloudier) conditions. Glaciers in all European regions saw a loss of ice, and central Europe is one of the regions in the world where glaciers are shrinking the fastest. The report includes a compelling infographic representing how much glaciers in the Alps have changed since the 1970s. Climate resilience and adaptation are crucial for Europe to adapt to the impacts of climate change. 51% of European cities have adopted dedicated climate adaptation plans, representing encouraging progress from 26% in 2018. The European State of the Climate 2024 report provides a comprehensive overview of the climate trends and climate-related impacts in Europe, and highlights the importance of climate policy and action to address the climate crisis.
