Rabat, Mar 25: The world recorded its hottest 11-year period between 2015 and 2025, underscoring accelerating climate change and widening global inequalities, according to a new report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The report highlights that the Earth’s energy imbalance — a measure of the difference between incoming solar radiation and outgoing heat — reached its highest level in 65 years in 2025, signalling a rapid accumulation of heat within the planet’s system.
For the first time, the WMO incorporated energy imbalance into its assessment, providing a more comprehensive picture of global warming and its underlying drivers.
Scientists noted that rising concentrations of key greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, have reached record levels, reducing the amount of heat escaping into space and intensifying warming.
A large share of the excess heat — nearly 90 per cent — is being absorbed by the oceans, which have taken in vast amounts of energy over the past two decades. This trend has significant implications for billions of people dependent on marine and coastal ecosystems for their livelihoods.
The findings also point to growing “climate inequality”, where countries contributing the least to global emissions are facing the most severe impacts. Regions such as parts of Africa are experiencing faster temperature increases and heightened vulnerability to extreme weather events.
In countries like Morocco, temperatures have been rising faster than the global average, increasing exposure to droughts and other climate-related risks.
The report warns that rising global temperatures are likely to intensify extreme weather events, including heatwaves, storms, droughts and heavy rainfall, while also accelerating sea-level rise and disrupting agricultural systems.
Such changes are expected to worsen food insecurity and displacement, particularly in already fragile regions. In parts of Africa, including the Sahel, millions of people are already facing displacement and humanitarian challenges linked to environmental stress and conflict.
According to projections by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of countries exposed to severe climate hazards could increase sharply by 2040, affecting several nations that already host large displaced populations.
Data also indicate that a significant proportion of forcibly displaced people currently live in countries highly exposed to climate risks, highlighting the intersection between environmental change and humanitarian crises.
The United Nations has warned that without urgent action to cut emissions and strengthen resilience, up to 200 million people could require humanitarian assistance annually by 2050 due to climate-related impacts.
The WMO further cautioned that the possible development of an El Niño event in the coming months could amplify global weather extremes, bringing increased risks of heavy rainfall, heatwaves and tropical cyclones.
Experts emphasised that coordinated global efforts will be crucial to mitigate climate change, reduce inequalities and protect vulnerable populations from its growing impacts.
