Human Contribution To Global Warming
Source: Indian Express
GS III: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment
Overview
- News in Brief
- Key findings of the IGCC report
Why in the News?
A new Indicator of Global Climate Change (IGCC) 2025 study has found that the contribution of human activities to global warming reached its highest-ever level in 2025.
News in Brief
- The latest Indicator of Global Climate Change (IGCC) assessment confirmed that 2025 was the third warmest year on record, after 2024 and 2023.
- The study estimated that the earth’s average temperature in 2025 was about 1.39 degree Celsius above the 1850-1900 baseline, of which 1.37 degree Celsius was human-induced.
- Scientists highlighted the dominant role of anthropogenic emissions in climate change.
Key Findings of the IGCC Report
Human-induced warming at record levels
- Human activities contributed around 1.37 degrees Celsius of warming in 2025, while the rest could be the result of natural variations in climate systems.
- This is the highest annual human contribution recorded so far.
Rising Global Temperatures
- Global temperatures in 2025 were approximately 1.39 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900).
- 2024 remains the warmest year recorded at about 1.55 degree Celsius above the baseline.
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- 2024, human contribution- 1,36 degree Celsius.
- 2025, human contribution- 1.37 degree Celsius (highest).
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Global emissions reached 56.8 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2025, an all time high.
- Emissions continue to increase despite international climate commitments.
Shrinking Carbon Budget
- The world can emit only about 130 billion tonnes of additional CO2 from 2026 onward if it wishes to keep warming within 1.5 degree Celsius.
- At current emission rates, this budget could be exhausted in less than three years.
Impact of Natural Climate Variability
- 2025 experienced La Niña conditions, which generally have a cooling effect.
- The reason, why the year, despite the potentially record-breaking contribution of human-induced warming, was slightly cooler than 2024 and 2023.
La Nina
- A climate phenomenon characterised by cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
- Usually lowers global temperatures temporarily.
Carbon Budget
- The maximum amount of carbon dioxide that humanity can emit while still limiting global warming to a specific target such as 1.5 degree Celsius.
Way Forward
- Accelerate transition to renewable energy.
- Improve energy efficiency and electrification.
- Strengthen implementation of the Paris Agreement.
- Promote climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Increase international climate finance and technology transfer.
What is IGCC?
Indicators of Global Climate Change (IGCC) is an annual scientific assessment prepared by an independent international group of climate scientists.
- First published in 2023.
- Published in the peer-reviewed journal Earth System Science Data.
- Provides yearly updates on human-induced warming, greenhouse gas emissions, and the remaining carbon budget.
UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Consider the following statements regarding the Indicators of Global Climate Change (IGCC)
- It is an annual assessment prepared by climate scientists.
- It provides estimates of human-induced warming, emissions, and carbon budgets.
- It is published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1,2 and 3
Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: IGCC is an independent annual scientific assessment. While its findings are consistent with IPCC methodologies, it is not published by the IPCC.
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