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Agartala, Tripura
Rapid warming across Europe is driving widespread environmental changes, including shrinking snow and ice cover, intensifying heatwaves, drought, wildfires and record ocean temperatures, according to a major new climate report.
The findings come from the European State of the Climate (ESOTC) 2025 report, jointly produced by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, which implements the Copernicus Climate Change Service, and the World Meteorological Organization.
The report, compiled by around 100 scientists, highlights that Europe remains the fastest-warming continent, with far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, economies and societies.
At least 95% of Europe recorded above-average temperatures in 2025
A record three-week heatwave hit sub-Arctic Fennoscandia, with temperatures exceeding 30°C near the Arctic Circle
Glaciers across all regions saw net mass loss; Greenland Ice Sheet lost 139 gigatonnes of ice
Snow cover dropped 31% below average
Europe recorded its highest-ever sea surface temperatures
Around 86% of seas experienced marine heatwaves
Wildfires burned over 1.03 million hectares — the largest area on record
Around 70% of rivers had below-average flows
Renewable energy supplied 46.4% of electricity, with solar reaching a record 12.5%
The report highlights rapid warming in colder regions such as the Arctic and the Alps, where snow and ice play a crucial role in reflecting sunlight — known as the albedo effect.
Sub-Arctic regions recorded unprecedented heat. Temperatures within the Arctic Circle exceeded 30°C, peaking at 34.9°C in Frosta, Norway. At the same time, Europe saw a record decline in cold stress days.
Snow cover in March 2025 was about 1.32 million sq km below average — one of the lowest levels since records began in 1983.
The report notes that global oceans have absorbed about 90% of excess heat caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2025, Europe’s seas recorded their warmest temperatures on record, marking the fourth consecutive year of extreme ocean heat.
The Mediterranean Sea experienced sustained marine heatwaves, while severe conditions were also recorded in the Norwegian Sea, highlighting the widespread nature of ocean warming.
Europe experienced one of its driest years in decades:
Around 70% of rivers recorded below-average flows
Soil moisture ranked among the lowest since 1992
Over half of Europe (53%) faced drought conditions in May
These patterns reflect both short-term weather variability and long-term climate change trends.
Wildfires reach record levels
Hot and dry conditions fueled extreme wildfire activity, with over 1 million hectares burned — an area larger than Cyprus.
Countries including Spain, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Cyprus recorded their highest wildfire emissions on record.
Wildfires are also accelerating climate change by releasing large amounts of stored carbon.
Climate change is placing growing pressure on biodiversity across Europe, affecting both marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Extreme events such as droughts, heatwaves and wildfires are disrupting habitats, seasonal cycles and species survival.
The report highlights the need for stronger integration of climate and biodiversity policies, supported by initiatives such as the European Green Deal and legally binding ecosystem restoration targets.
“Europe is the fastest-warming continent, and the impacts are already severe,” said Florian Pappenberger of ECMWF.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo added that the report reflects the growing imbalance in Earth’s energy system and its cascading impacts on ecosystems.
Experts stress that while progress in renewable energy is encouraging, adaptation and mitigation efforts must accelerate to address the scale of the crisis.
