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 by the 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.
The latest Copernicus data also outlines Europe’s rising temperatures are speeding 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.
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.
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.’’
The European State of the Climate Report again underlines the urgency for Europe to cut 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 has committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2050 and has adopted targets and legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Renewables supplied nearly half (46.4%) of Europe’s electricity in 2025, with solar power reaching a new contribution record of 12.5%. The European Union’s greenhouse gas emissions fell a further 3% between 2023 and 2024, bringing the EU’s total emission reductions to 40% below 1990 levels.
The Commission published a communication in April 2024 on how to effectively prepare the EU for climate risks and build climate resilience. It is set to present a European Climate Adaptation Plan later in the year.
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.
