Virtually no region of Europe remained unaffected by extreme weather and high temperatures in 2025. The continent endured an unprecedented heatwave, suffered the largest wildfires and recorded the hottest sea surface temperatures on record.
These are the main findings of the European Climate Situation 2025 Report, published annually by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Agency and the World Meteorological Organization.
“Given the pace of climate change, more urgent action is needed,” said Samantha Burgess, head of climate change strategy at the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. “Given rising temperatures, widespread wildfires and drought, the evidence is clear: climate change is not a future threat, it is our present reality.”
Europe’s heat was on record again this year.
At least 95% of Europe experienced above average annual temperatures, with the UK, Norway and Iceland each recording their warmest year on record. The continent was hit by several heatwaves, one of which lasted 25 days and affected multiple countries.
Northern Europe was also affected, with the sub-Arctic region spanning Norway, Sweden and Finland sweltering in 21 days of heat. Typically, heat stress in this region is expected to last less than two days. Meanwhile, Spain endured its most intense heatwave since at least 1975.
Five of the continent’s 10 warmest years have occurred since 2019, the report found, as emissions from burning coal, gas and oil drive global climate change.
And this trend is not limited to land. Sea surface temperatures across the European region reached their highest annual average on record for the fourth consecutive year. This wreaks havoc on marine biodiversity, causes mass mortality, and disrupts the balance of food webs.
Residents drag hoses to fight a wildfire near the village of Larrouco in northwestern Spain in August.Image: Miguel Riopa/AFP/Getty Images
Extremely hot conditions also have real human costs. The Lancet Countdown, another annual report tracking the health impacts of climate change, estimates that the number of heat-related deaths in Europe will reach nearly 63,000 in 2024. Researchers also found that high temperature-related mortality rates have increased in nearly 100% of monitored areas since 2014.
“Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, with far-reaching implications for socio-economic well-being, ecosystems and biodiversity,” said World Meteorological Organization Director-General Celeste Sauro.
1 million hectares burned in Europe
In May, more than half of the continent experienced varying degrees of drought. This year also saw soil moisture conditions being the driest on record, creating conditions that could lead to lower crop yields and increased wildfire risk.
Overall, 2025 was a devastating year for wildfires in Europe, with more than 1 million hectares of land burned. Greece witnessed its most serious wildfire outbreak in recent years, with 50 wildfires breaking out in 24 hours.
More than two-thirds of Europe’s rivers have dropped below their average annual flows due to the drought.
At the same time, sunny conditions also benefited solar energy, which is essential for the transition away from global warming fossil fuels. EU countries experienced solar grid growth in 2025.
Snow and ice disappearing in Europe is causing oceans to rise
The increase in temperature causes a series of cascading effects, including melting areas that were once frozen. In March, Europe lost almost as much snow as France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland combined. The biggest losses were in Eastern Europe.
Glaciers are retreating in almost all parts of Europe, with Iceland experiencing the second-largest annual loss since 1976.
The Greenland Ice Sheet released approximately 139 gigatonnes of ice. Over the past 50 years, ice loss in Greenland and Antarctica has caused sea levels to rise by 3 centimeters. For every centimeter increase, approximately 6 million people will be exposed to coastal flooding.
A ray of hope for Europe
Fossil fuels don’t just cause these extreme weather events. It has also proven to be a highly volatile commodity in times of geopolitical conflict. Europe has responded by investing in homegrown energy sources, with renewables now providing almost half of the continent’s electricity.
According to global energy think tank Ember, wind and solar power will overtake fossil fuels in the EU for the first time in 2025.
Solar power set a new record, contributing around 13% of the continent’s electricity. Solar power has grown by more than 20% for four consecutive years.
In Hungary, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and the Netherlands, solar power accounts for one-fifth of the countries’ electricity.
“This milestone moment shows how rapidly the EU is moving towards a wind and solar power system,” said Beatriz Petrovich, senior energy analyst at Enver. “As dependence on fossil fuels contributes to global instability, the risks of transitioning to clean energy are clearer than ever.”
Editor: Tamsin Walker
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