UN warns of a new era of climate extremes in 2026
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Illustrative image · Abdullah Öğük · Pexels · Licence PexelsAntonio Guterres warns of a new period of climate extremes, as 2026 is expected to rank among the hottest years ever recorded. The World Meteorological Organization warns that an exceptional El Niño event could prolong heat and extreme weather events until 2027, according to the UN.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called on leaders gathered in Antalya for COP31, the UN's annual climate conference, to reduce emissions more rapidly and accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. He warned that an exceptionally powerful El Niño event was occurring on a planet already warmed by human activities, according to Punch.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) estimates that the global average surface temperature between January and September 2026 reached around 1.47°C above the pre-industrial average. The last 12 years have all ranked among the 12 hottest ever recorded, and 2026 is expected to rank among the hottest years, according to the WMO.
WMO Director Celeste Saulo said the current El Niño could bring more heat and extreme weather events until 2027. The organisation forecasts an anomaly that could reach 3.8°C in the tropical Pacific by January, with this event expected to be the strongest since at least 1950.
The warning comes after the UN's call to accelerate emissions reductions ahead of COP31, published on 9 November, and after Guterres proposed taxing the windfall profits of fossil fuel companies, announced on 7 November.
