The 2025 state of the climate report: a planet on the brink

This peer-reviewed report examines the state of the global climate using 34 indicators of planetary environmental conditions and human activities. The authors report that 22 indicators have reached record levels, reflecting accelerating climate change and increasing pressures on Earth's natural systems.

The report examines rising greenhouse gas concentrations, record fossil fuel consumption, ocean warming, ice loss, deforestation and biodiversity decline. It explores the growing risks associated with extreme weather, ecological disruption and potentially irreversible climate tipping points, alongside the implications for human health, food security and water availability.

The authors highlight the inadequacy of current global mitigation efforts and examine opportunities for accelerating climate action. Proposed responses include transitioning away from fossil fuels, protecting ecosystems, adopting more sustainable consumption patterns and implementing wider societal and economic changes to address the underlying drivers of climate change.

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Citation: Ripple WJ, Wolf C, Mann ME, Rockström J, Gregg JW, Xu C, et al. The 2025 state of the climate report: a planet on the brink. BioScience. 2025;75(12):1016–1027. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf149