- The 2024 Climate report shows 152 disasters and the highest displacements since 2008
- West Africa and the Sahel faced severe heatwaves, with temperatures over 45°C
- UN officials stress the need for action to limit global warming to 1.5°C
The 2024 State of the Climate report reveals that the world experienced 152 climate disasters in 2024, marking them as “unprecedented” out of 617 recorded events. Extreme weather contributed to the highest number of new displacements since 2008, while also destroying homes, essential infrastructure, forests, farmlands, and biodiversity. The combined effects of escalating conflicts, droughts, and rising food prices worsened food crises in 18 countries by mid-2024.
Tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, and other hazards resulted in the largest number of new displacements in 16 years, deepening food crises and causing substantial economic losses.
The UN World Meteorological Organization’s annual report is based on scientific data from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, WMO Regional Climate Centres, UN partners, and various experts.
The report includes sidebars on global temperature monitoring in relation to the Paris Agreement, as well as temperature anomalies in 2023 and 2024. It also provides additional information on climate services and extreme weather events. It highlights that in the West and Central African region, 1,526 deaths occurred, 639,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, and over 1 million people were displaced, with Chad and Nigeria being severely impacted.
In Kenya, 282 flood-related deaths were reported, while Tanzania saw 161 deaths. Cyclone Hidaya caused at least 236 fatalities in southern Ethiopia, and at least 172 deaths were reported across Mayotte, Mozambique, and Malawi.
Severe heatwaves affected large parts of West Africa and the Sahel, with temperatures in several inland regions reaching or exceeding 45°C. In Mali, several stations recorded their highest-ever temperatures, and 102 heat-related deaths were reported. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the planet is sending more distress signals, but the report also shows that limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C is still achievable.
“Leaders must act now to make it happen — leveraging the benefits of affordable, clean renewables for their people and economies, with new National climate plans expected this year,” said António.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized that while a single year above 1.5°C of warming does not mean the Paris Agreement’s long-term temperature targets are unattainable, it serves as a wake-up call, increasing risks to lives, economies, and the planet.
