Harsher heat ahead as 2025 verified Europe's hottest year

Climate experts have warned European governments to prepare for more dangerous, record-breaking high temperatures, after it was confirmed that 2025 was the continent's hottest year on record, and that the trend will continue.

A new study published on Wednesday by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization found that annual sea surface temperatures across Europe reached their highest level last year, and that unusually high land temperatures caused major problems, including deadly wildfires.

John Hyland, from Greenpeace, told The Guardian that the report clearly shows the EU must set more challenging climate targets if it is to head off life-threatening problems attributed to global warming.