The European State of the Climate (ESOTC) 2025 report published on 29 April 2026 by Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) states that since the 1980s, Europe has been warming twice as fast as the global average, making it the fastest-warming continent. The UK has been a member of Copernicus since it re-joined in 2024.

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe, while extreme rainfall is leading to catastrophic floods. Glaciers continue to melt. Climate change is also affecting biodiversity, which is vital for a sustainable future.

Main items of Europe’s climate in 2025

• Almost the entire continent saw above-average annual temperatures and several northern European countries recorded their warmest or second-warmest year. Europe saw its second most severe heatwave on record, while sub-Arctic Fennoscandia experienced its longest heatwave on record.
• Wildfire burnt area and fire emissions both reached record levels. The largest contributions came from fires across the Iberian Peninsula in August.
• The annual sea surface temperature for the European ocean region was the highest on record and a record 86% of the region** experienced at least ‘strong’ marine heatwave conditions.
• Glaciers in all European regions saw a net mass loss.
• End-of-season snow cover extent and mass were both the third lowest on record.
• The year saw strong regional contrasts in hydrological conditions.
• Storms and flooding affected some areas, but overall extreme precipitation and flooding were less widespread than in recent years.
• Renewables supplied nearly half (46.4%) of Europe’s electricity in 2025, with solar power reaching a new contribution record of 12.5%.