The world’s climate has reached its most unstable point in recorded history, according to a stark warning issued by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
Released on World Meteorological Day, the State of the Global Climate report confirmed the period from 2015 to 2025 represents the warmest eleven consecutive years since temperature records began in 1850.
The report comes at a time of intense political debate over Labour’s Net Zero policies, aimed at promoting investment in renewable energy sources.
Reform UK, who continue to lead national polls, said these policies would be “for the dustbin” and would instead focus on using oil and gas to help boost the economy.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued an urgent warning following the report’s publication.
He said: “The State of the Global Climate is in a state of emergency. Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing red.
“Humanity has just endured the eleven hottest years on record. When history repeats itself eleven times, it is no longer a coincidence. It is a call to act.”
He also called for countries to accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy.
Reform UK, who continue to lead the Opinion Polls, have said renewable policies would be “for the dustbin”
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“And in this age of war, climate stress is also exposing another truth: our addiction to fossil fuels is destabilising both the climate and global security.
“Today’s report should come with a warning label: climate chaos is accelerating and delay is deadly.”
The Government has responded to growing energy security concerns by accelerating its renewable energy programme.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced earlier in March a package of measures aimed at reducing Britain’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Mr Miliband said: “Global events demonstrate there’s not a moment to waste in our drive for clean power because there can be no energy security while we are so dependent on fossil fuels.”
The measures include plans to make low-cost “plug-in solar” panels available at supermarkets, allowing households to install them on balconies and outdoor spaces.
Labour also plans to bring forward its next renewables auction to July following what it described as its most successful round.
Previous auctions have secured enough clean power capacity to supply the equivalent of 23 million homes.
Ed Miliband continues to push for Britain’s Net Zero 2050 target
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Despite these warnings, Reform UK said it would abolish the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) if it wins the next general election.
Deputy leader Richard Tice said: “When we win the general election, that department will be gone. Energy will be coming into my department and net zero will be for the dustbin.”
He added: “I’m sure those wonderful bureaucrats and civil servants will find some lovely other jobs elsewhere.”
The party has said it would prioritise oil and gas extraction and abandon climate targets.
The party’s business, trade and energy spokesman has previously questioned the urgency around the climate crisis.
“There’s no evidence that man-made CO2 is going to change climate change. Given that it’s gone on for millions of years, it will go on for millions of years.”
Mr Tice has also said there are “a thousand” scientists who agreed with him, who were “not a minority”.
However, analysis of more than 3,000 peer-reviewed studies has said scientific consensus on humans causing recent climate change is greater than 99 per cent.