Europe’s warming accelerates beyond global trend, new Copernicus data shows

Europe recorded widespread warm conditions with above-average temperatures across at least 95% of the continent, according to the 2025 European State of the Climate (ESOTC) report. The report, published today bythe Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and produced by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) , shows Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth. This aligns with the European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA), a scientific report published in 2024 by the European Environment Agency, that made an early warning on how our continent is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world.

Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space: "The European State of the Climate Report shows, once again, that climate change is a reality for Europe, underlining the importance of an independent, world-class Earth observation system. Copernicus provides the information we need to guide the decisions that will shape a more resilient, more sustainable and stronger future for Europe.''

Today's report again underlines the urgency for Europe to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero, strengthen resilience to climate impacts, and speed up the shift to clean energy through more renewables and better energy efficiency. The EU stays the course on its long-term goal to climate neutrality with a clear path to mid-century. Better preparing the EU for climate risks is also a priority for the Commission. It will present an integrated framework for European climate resilience and risk management later this year.

The latest Copernicus data outlines Europe's rising temperatures arespeeding up the loss of snow and ice, alongside more frequent and severe extreme conditions such as heatwaves, drought and record sea temperatures from the Arctic to the Mediterranean.

Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth "Copernicus data provides a sobering report and confirms once again that Europe is the fastest-warming continent. Today's European State of the Climate report shows the devastating and far-reaching impact of climate change on our societies, economies and the environment. This has a price tag that keeps going up, and it's another reminder that clean energy is the best and only way forward for Europe."

Heatwaves hit across the continent, including Europe's second most severe heatwave on record, and the longest and most severe July heatwave in sub-Arctic Fennoscandia, with temperatures near to and within the Arctic Circle exceeding 30°C. Warmer conditions are also fuelling more intense wildfires, burning around 1,034,550 hectares, the largest area on record.

In 2025, seas around Europe recorded their highest average surface temperature on record, the fourth year in a row to set a new high. These climate impacts are increasingly impacting biodiversity in marine and terrestrial ecosystems and are putting pressure on Europe's water flows.

The EU has committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2050 and has adopted targets and legislation to reduce net GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and 90% by 2040, compared to 1990 levels. In 2025, renewable energy supplied nearly half (46.4%) of Europe's electricity, with solar power reaching a new contribution record of 12.5%. The EU's net GHG emissions fell a further 2.5% between 2023 and 2024, bringing the EU's total emission reductions to 39% below 1990 levels, as indicated in the 2025 State of the Energy Union Report.

Background

Copernicus is the Earth Observation component of the EU space programme. It delivers freely accessible operational data and services providing users with reliable and up-to-date information related to our planet and its environment.

For more information

European State of the Climate Report 2025