2025 ranked among the three warmest years on record, underscoring the continued acceleration of climate warming, according to data released by the China Meteorological Administration's National Climate Center.
The data shows that the global average surface temperature in 2025 was 1.40 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels, defined as average temperatures between 1850 and 1900, and 0.52 degrees Celsius above the long-term norm, the center said.
The past three years have also been the warmest three consecutive years since meteorological records began, indicating a persistent warming trend worldwide, according to the data.
The warming was particularly pronounced at the start of the year. In January 2025, average global surface temperatures exceeded previous records for the same period. On an annual basis, record-high temperatures were observed in northeastern and southern Europe, northeastern East Asia, much of Central Asia, northern and southwestern North America, and the Antarctic Peninsula.
The Arctic recorded an average temperature 1.17 degrees Celsius above the norm in 2025, ranking as the third warmest year on record for the region.
Average temperatures in Antarctica were 0.43 degrees Celsius above normal, and temperatures in the so-called "Third Pole" region, referring to China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau that spans a vast area including Xizang Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province, were 1.12 degrees Celsius above normal, both setting new historical highs, the data showed.
Yang Guowei, an expert with the center, said the world's Third Pole region is among the most climate-sensitive areas in the world.
"In 2025, the average temperature of the Third Pole region reached a record high, marking the fourth consecutive year that the regional average has broken historical records. From 1961 to 2025, the warming rate on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was significantly higher than the global average over the same period, while annual precipitation across most parts of the plateau showed an increasing trend. Against the backdrop of rapid regional warming, the plateau has seen more frequent extreme heat and heavy rainfall events; mountain glaciers are generally melting and retreating, while permafrost degradation has become increasingly evident," he said.
Meteorologists said a major effort was needed to advance emissions reduction, which remains the fundamental path for global climate governance.
Combined efforts across the world were also called to better adapt to climate change and to strengthen the overall capacity to cope with extreme weather and climate events such as heatwaves, floods and strong typhoons.
2025 among warmest years on record: China Climate Center
