Global Environmental Status 2025?

Climate Change: warming and extremes

Global temperatures continue to rise at an alarming rate. The past decade has been the warmest on record, with 2024 estimated as the first year over 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels (about 1.55 °C warmer). World Meteorological Organization projections show an 80% chance that at least one year between 2025–2029 will exceed 2024 as the warmest on record, and a 70% chance the five-year average will top 1.5 °C. Every fraction of a degree is amplifying extreme weather: more frequent heatwaves, droughts, intense storms and flooding are being observed worldwide. In 2023 and 2024, record-breaking floods, wildfires and droughts affected communities on every continent, underscoring the increasing human and economic toll of climate change.

Meanwhile, greenhouse gas emissions remain at record highs, despite pandemic-era drops. Global CO₂ from fossil fuels grew about 1.1% in 2023 to 36.8–37.4 billion tonnes, the highest ever. Total annual greenhouse gas emissions (including land use) reached roughly 57 Gt CO₂-equivalent in 2022. This trajectory leaves the world far off track from Paris climate goals. Current policies put us on course for roughly 2.7 °C of warming by 2100, or 2.5–2.9 °C if countries meet their pledged targets – well above the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 °C aspiration. Scientists warn that at current emission rates, the remaining “carbon budget” for 1.5 °C could be exhausted within a single decade. In response, many nations are ramping up climate action: for example, at COP28 (late 2023) nearly 200 countries agreed to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and double energy efficiency improvements, alongside calls to phase down unabated fossil fuels. However, even with new pledges, the “emissions gap” – the difference between projected emissions and a Paris-aligned pathway – remains large, necessitating a 43% cut by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5 °C.

Biodiversity loss and conservation

Earth’s biodiversity is under severe strain. Around one million animal and plant species are at risk of extinction in the coming decades due to human activities. Wildlife populations have plummeted: the WWF Living Planet Index reports an average 73% decline in vertebrate wildlife populations from 1970 to 2020, a “catastrophic” loss driven by habitat destruction, overexploitation, pollution and climate change. Deforestation and ecosystem degradation are major culprits – the world lost over 28 million hectares of tree cover in a single recent year, and continues to lose forests at millions of hectares per year. This nature loss is pushing ecosystems toward dangerous tipping points and undermining essential services like pollination, water purification and carbon storage.

On a positive note, late 2022 saw the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 – including a target to protect 30% of land and oceans. Some conservation efforts are yielding results: certain species have rebounded when given protection (for example, mountain gorilla numbers are slowly rising). Still, conservation funding lags far behind what’s needed; an estimated $700 billion annual funding gap exists for meeting global biodiversity targets. As of 2025, governments are starting to integrate biodiversity into development plans, and a COP16 biodiversity summit (2024) continued work on implementation. Yet without transformative change in land use, agriculture and resource consumption, biodiversity loss remains a critical crisis intertwined with climate change and human well-being.

Pollution challenges (Air, Plastic, Water, Soil)

Environmental pollution continues to threaten health and ecosystems worldwide. Air pollution is a persistent silent killer – it causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths each year and 99% of people breathe air that fails to meet WHO quality guidelines. In many cities, soot and smog levels remain hazardous, largely from burning fossil fuels. Fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and they also dim sunlight and harm crops. Efforts to curb air pollution (such as shifting to clean energy and transport) can yield “win-win” benefits by improving health and also cutting carbon emissions. Some progress is being made – for instance, numerous countries have implemented stricter vehicle emissions standards and invested in public transit – but over 90% of the world’s population still lives in areas with unhealthy air.

Plastic and waste pollution piling up in the natural environment exemplifies a global pollution crisis. Vast amounts of plastic debris end up in oceans and on coastlines worldwide, harming wildlife and contaminating food chains.

Plastic pollution has reached every corner of the planet, from remote oceans to mountain peaks. Humanity used an estimated 500 million tonnes of plastics in 2024, and roughly 400 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated each year. Much of this waste is mismanaged – about 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually, forming massive garbage patches and infiltrating marine food webs. Microplastics are now found in water, soil, and even human blood. In response, 170+ countries agreed in 2022 to craft a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty, addressing plastic production and waste; negotiations are ongoing into 2025 to finalize this treaty. Beyond plastics, water pollution remains severe: over 80% of wastewater worldwide is discharged without adequate treatment, spreading pathogens, chemicals, and excessive nutrients into rivers and coasts. This contributes to dead zones (from fertilizer runoff) and unsafe drinking water for millions. Soil pollution is another concern – heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial waste contaminate soils and crops in many regions, threatening food security. International efforts, like the Minamata Convention (to reduce mercury) and various clean water initiatives, aim to tackle these pollution challenges. However, as of 2025, pollution – whether dirty air, plastic litter, or contaminated water – remains a pressing global issue requiring stronger regulation and sustainable consumption habits.

Resource pressures: deforestation, water scarcity, and land use

Human demand for resources continues to exert unsustainable pressure on the planet’s land and water. Deforestation, particularly in tropical regions, is ongoing albeit with some regional variation. The Amazon rainforest, often called “the lungs of the Earth,” saw a hopeful decline in forest loss in 2023 – deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon dropped by around 30–50% compared to the prior year due to renewed protections. Even so, globally we still lose roughly 10 million hectares of forest annually, driven by agriculture (beef, soy, palm oil), logging, and wildfires. Recent data show that even with slower Amazon clearing, approximately 1 million trees were still being cut or burned per day in 2023. This scale of deforestation not only endangers countless species but also impairs carbon sequestration and regional rainfall patterns. Other ecosystems face similar strains: 2024 saw record degradation in Brazil’s Cerrado savanna due to expanding soy and cattle farming. To combat forest loss, many countries and companies have committed to “zero deforestation” supply chains by 2030, and initiatives like REDD+ are channeling funds to forest conservation. However, implementation is uneven, and forests in Africa and Southeast Asia remain under heavy pressure.

Freshwater scarcity is intensifying. Roughly 2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries as of 2025, and climate change exacerbates droughts in many areas. By next year, 1.8 billion people will face absolute water scarcity, and an estimated two-thirds of the global population will experience water stress at least part of each year. Prolonged drought in the Horn of Africa, for example, has driven severe hunger crises in recent years. Groundwater aquifers are being depleted by over-extraction in regions from India to the United States. In response, countries are pursuing solutions like water recycling, desalination, rainwater harvesting, and smarter irrigation to improve water security. Yet inequalities are stark: wealthier nations invest in infrastructure, while many poorer communities still lack safe drinking water (over 2 billion lack safely managed water supply). Additionally, land degradation and desertification compound these issues. More than 40% of Earth’s land is now classified as degraded or becoming arid – including large swathes of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East – reducing crop yields and livelihoods. The UN has set a goal for land degradation neutrality by 2030, and countries are undertaking reforestation and soil restoration efforts (like the African Great Green Wall). Still, as of 2025, the interplay of deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable land use is straining resources and could displace millions, highlighting an urgent need for sustainable agriculture and water management.

Key international policy devs

International environmental policy has seen both advancements and challenges. In climate governance, the landmark Paris Agreement of 2015 remains the foundation, with its mechanism of five-yearly Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In 2023, the first Global Stocktake was concluded at COP28 in Dubai, assessing collective progress on Paris goals. The verdict was sobering: current efforts are “off track” for 1.5 °C, and countries must accelerate emissions cuts across all sectors by 2030. COP28 yielded a breakthrough in explicitly acknowledging fossil fuel phase-out in the final declaration for the first time – signaling “the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era.” Nearly 200 nations agreed to “transition away from fossil fuels” and boost clean energy, though a binding timeline for phasing out coal, oil, and gas remains contested. Another milestone at COP28 was the operational launch of the Loss and Damage Fund to support vulnerable countries facing climate disasters. After a 30-year push, this fund was established with initial pledges of around $600 million. However, this is orders of magnitude below estimated needs (climate damages in developing nations run in the hundreds of billions annually), and debates continue on long-term financing sources (e.g. a levy on fossil fuels or aviation). Separately, developed countries finally inched closer to meeting the long-promised $100 billion/year climate finance goal, though as of 2025 it has not been fully met in every year.

Beyond climate, late 2022 also saw the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), where countries agreed on targets like conserving 30% of land and sea by 2030 and reducing pollution and invasive species. Implementation of these biodiversity targets is underway – for instance, several nations have recently expanded protected areas and increased funding for ecosystem restoration. Internationally, an Ocean Plastics Treaty is under negotiation (with a goal to finalize by 2025) to curb plastic pollution through a lifecycle approach. Likewise, talks on a Global Ocean Treaty (for high-seas biodiversity protection) succeeded in 2023, enabling the creation of marine protected areas on the high seas for the first time. In the realm of air pollution, many countries are adopting stricter standards aligned with WHO guidelines, and a growing number of cities have low-emission zones or plans to ban internal combustion vehicles in the coming decades.

Major economies have also passed significant domestic environmental legislation. The United States, for example, enacted the Inflation Reduction Act (2022), directing an unprecedented $370 billion toward clean energy and climate solutions – spurring a boom in renewable energy projects and electric vehicle manufacturing. The European Union implemented the European Climate Law and the “Fit for 55” package, aiming to cut emissions 55% by 2030 (vs 1990) and reach net-zero by 2050, alongside measures like a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. China continues to lead in renewable energy installation (now home to a third of the world’s solar and wind capacity) even as it works to peak its carbon emissions by 2030. Yet China and India also remain reliant on coal in the near term, reflecting the tension between development and decarbonization. Globally, the phase-out of coal received momentum – over 190 countries pledged to phase down coal at COP26 (2021), and since then more financial initiatives (like the Just Energy Transition Partnerships for South Africa, Indonesia, etc.) have been mobilizing funds to retire coal plants. Despite these efforts, 2025 finds the world in a policy paradox: ambitious goals are set and key frameworks are in place, but implementation and scale of action still fall short of what science says is needed. The next few years (leading up to the 2025 Paris Agreement deadline for new NDCs) will be critical for translating these international commitments into on-the-ground emissions reductions and conservation outcomes.

Scientific reports and findings

Over the past two years, leading scientific bodies have issued stark assessments of the planet’s health. The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), finalized in 2023, warned that climate change is “unequivocally” caused by human emissions and is already widespread, rapid, and intensifying. The AR6 Synthesis Report highlighted that many climate impacts are more severe than anticipated – for example, some coastal ecosystems (like warm-water coral reefs) are nearing irreversible damage, and food and water security are being undermined by increasing extremes. The IPCC emphasized that to likely limit warming to 1.5 °C, global CO₂ emissions must fall roughly 43% by 2030 from 2019 levels, alongside deep cuts in other greenhouse gases. Failing that, the world risks crossing dangerous tipping points (such as ice sheet collapse or Amazon dieback) that would drive “far more severe climate change impacts”. The AR6 reports also underscored the costs of inaction: for instance, continued high emissions could reduce global GDP by several percent and expose billions to extreme heat and coastal flooding by 2100. An IPCC survey found that most top scientists believe we are likely to overshoot 1.5 °C in the near term, though strong action could still stabilize temperatures around 1.6–2 °C later in the century.

Other notable scientific publications include the UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2023, bluntly subtitled “Broken Record”, which noted that global CO₂ emissions hit a new peak in 2022 and no significant drop is yet in sight. UNEP calculated that even if all current unconditional pledges are fulfilled, we are headed for about 2.9 °C of warming; with optimistic assumptions (including conditional pledges), we might achieve ~2.5 °C. It called for a “quantum leap” in ambition and implementation, especially a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released State of the Climate reports showing the past 8 years were the warmest on record and announcing that the 1.5 °C threshold is likely to be temporarily exceeded in at least one of the next five years with near-100% certainty. WMO also highlighted record ocean heat content (the oceans absorbed ~90% of excess heat) and accelerating sea level rise (now ~4.5 mm/year). In biodiversity, the IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) reported on the dangerous decline in ecosystem services, reminding that $44 trillion of economic value (over half of global GDP) is moderately or highly dependent on nature. The UN Global Land Degradation Assessment (2022) found up to 40% of land degraded and warned that without changes, an additional area the size of South America could degrade by 2050. Scientific findings are also informing emerging issues: for example, studies in 2024 linked climate change to increased disease risks (vector-borne illnesses expanding their range, heatwaves causing excess deaths), and researchers identified microplastic pollution even in human placenta and brains, raising health concerns.

Overall, the scientific consensus as of mid-2025 is clear and urgent: Earth’s climate and ecosystems are at breaking points. However, science also maps out solutions – rapid emissions cuts, conservation at scale, and societal transformation can still avert the worst outcomes. Reports from the IEA and others note encouraging trends (renewables are now the cheapest power in many regions, and green technology is advancing), suggesting we have the tools to address these challenges if we muster the will.

Global North vs Global South

Environmental issues play out unevenly across regions, often mirroring global inequalities. The Global South (developing nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America) typically contributes far less to greenhouse emissions yet suffers disproportionately from climate impacts. For example, all of Africa is responsible for under 10% of global CO₂ emissions, but African countries are among the hardest hit by warming. In 2022, Africa experienced accelerated warming and extremes: over 110 million Africans were affected by weather disasters that year (droughts, floods, cyclones), and economic damages exceeded $8.5 billion. The Horn of Africa’s historic drought (2020–2023) led to famine-like conditions, while unprecedented floods struck Nigeria, Sudan, and South Africa, overwhelming adaptation capacity. With limited resources, many African and South Asian nations struggle to recover from repeated climate shocks – amplifying poverty and instability. By contrast, richer nations in Europe, North America, and East Asia also endure severe events (record heatwaves in Europe and China, wildfires in Australia and Canada, hurricanes in the U.S.), but generally have stronger infrastructure and financing to cope and rebuild. This disparity fuels calls for climate justice: developing countries argue for increased support from wealthier nations, both to adapt to climate impacts and to pursue low-carbon development. The new Loss and Damage Fund is one response to this, though its initial funding is very small relative to needs.

Another example of the north-south gap is climate finance and technology. Developed countries had committed to mobilize $100 billion per year by 2020 to assist developing nations with climate action, but actual flows have fallen short (reaching around $83 billion in 2020 and only crossing $100 billion by 2023 with accounting adjustments). Similarly, investments in renewables are uneven: despite Africa’s vast solar potential, the continent received only 2% of global renewable energy investments in the last two decades. This has begun to change as international initiatives (like IRENA programs and Just Energy Transition partnerships) direct more funds to emerging economies for clean energy. Regional cooperation is also growing: at the 2023 Africa Climate Summit, African leaders emphasized the need for global financial reforms (such as green debt relief and climate taxes) to help African countries adapt and transition. In Asia, rapidly industrializing nations face balancing development with pollution control – India, for instance, grapples with hazardous air quality in its cities even as it expands solar farms at record pace. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific and Caribbean represent another vulnerable group: they contribute less than 1% of emissions but face existential threats from sea level rise and intensified cyclones. These nations have been vocal in international forums, successfully lobbying for the inclusion of Loss & Damage and for consideration of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.

The Global North, for its part, is under pressure to lead by example. The European Union has cut its emissions about 30% since 1990 and is increasingly mainstreaming climate into policy (e.g. EU’s 2023 Nature Restoration Law, and commitments to end sales of combustion engine cars by 2035). The United States rejoined the Paris Agreement in 2021 and, with the Inflation Reduction Act, is starting to bend its emission curve downward, although it remains the second-largest emitter. Nonetheless, per capita emissions and historical contributions of developed countries far exceed those of poorer nations, which underpins arguments that wealthy countries should both decarbonize faster and pay more to assist others. These regional dynamics highlight that while environmental threats are global, responsibilities and capacities are not equal. Equity and fairness have become central to environmental diplomacy – evident in debates over who should cut emissions quicker or who should fund climate damages. As of 2025, negotiations continue on creating a new global climate finance goal (to replace the $100 billion target post-2025) and on ensuring that the voices of developing countries are heard in climate governance. Bridging the North-South divide through trust, finance, and technology transfer is increasingly seen as essential for achieving global environmental goals.

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Environmental activism extends beyond climate. Campaigns against plastic pollution (e.g. urging bans on single-use plastics), for wildlife conservation, and for clean air in cities have gained momentum. Notably, movements opposing new oil pipelines, coal mines, or deforestation projects (such as in the Amazon or Southeast Asia) have at times stalled or cancelled major projects. Indigenous communities are frequently at the forefront of conservation battles, advocating for land rights and sustainable practices; their knowledge is being recognized as vital for protecting forests and biodiversity. The role of activism has pushed many governments to declare climate emergencies (over 2,000 jurisdictions globally have declared a “climate emergency”) and to adopt more ambitious policies than they might have otherwise.

The business sector is also experiencing a shift, albeit a mixed one. On one hand, there is a growing wave of corporate commitments to sustainability. Over half of the world’s largest 2000 companies have now announced net-zero emissions targets for mid-century. Companies are increasingly disclosing climate risks and setting science-based targets to cut emissions, spurred by investor pressure and initiatives like the Race to Zero. In the financial industry, major investors and banks managing tens of trillions of dollars have joined coalitions pledging to align their portfolios with net-zero by 2050. Many corporations are investing in renewable energy (either purchasing green power or building their own solar/wind farms) and improving energy efficiency to save costs and reduce carbon footprints. ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing has moved from niche to mainstream – more shareholders now demand climate action plans from corporate boards, and some high-profile shareholder votes have forced oil giants to adopt stricter emissions targets.

However, critics point out that corporate action often falls short of the rhetoric. Analyses of net-zero pledges reveal that many rely on offsets or vague long-term goals rather than immediate deep cuts. The term “greenwashing” is frequently invoked when companies make splashy green promises while continuing environmentally harmful practices. For example, some oil and gas companies have announced net-zero 2050 aims but are still investing heavily in new fossil fuel extraction today. The credibility of corporate pledges is being scrutinized: initiatives like the UN’s High-Level Expert Group on Net Zero (launched by the UN Secretary-General) set standards to ensure that net-zero means real emissions reductions, not just buying carbon credits. There are also positive leaders – a number of firms in sectors like tech and consumer goods have moved to 100% renewable electricity, and auto manufacturers are pivoting toward electric vehicles at an accelerating rate (several have committed to phasing out gasoline cars by the 2030s).

The intersection of activism and business is interesting: consumer pressure has led brands to eliminate deforestation from supply chains (e.g. pledges for zero-deforestation palm oil and cocoa), and lawsuits have even targeted corporations for climate misinformation or deforestation. In 2025, the general trend is that environmental responsibility is increasingly seen as part of mainstream business strategy, not just PR. Many companies now recognize that sustainability can coincide with innovation and profit (for instance, the booming markets for electric cars, plant-based proteins, and circular economy products). Yet, there remains a significant gap between voluntary corporate actions and the scale of change needed. Government regulation and incentives often determine how far businesses go – such as carbon pricing, efficiency standards, or pollution limits that “level the playing field”. Moving forward, stronger partnerships between public policy, private sector innovation, and civil society advocacy will be crucial to achieve the environmental turnaround the planet needs.

Sources: Global environment reports and data from WMO, IPCC, UNEP, IPBES, World Bank, and news outlets (among others) have been used to compile this up-to-date overview as of July 2025.