2025: Third warmest year on record

Climate campaigners have said the data showing that 2025 was the third hottest year on record demonstrates the ‘scale of the political failure to protect the public.’

The data from Copernicus weather service showed that:

• 2025 was the third warmest year on record 1.47°C above average
• Global temperatures from the past three years (2023-2025) averaged more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level
• The last 11 years were the warmest on record

Friends of the Earth Scotland oil and gas campaigns manager Rosie Hampton commented,

“These figures paint a grim picture of worsening climate breakdown and highlight the scale of the political failure to protect our planet. The heavy snow last week followed a chaotic and record-breaking year of storms, fires and floods, and is further proof that Scotland is struggling to cope with the destructive impact of climate change.

“Burning fossil fuels means more extreme weather and more harm caused to people in Scotland. So it is astounding that the Scottish Government continues to refuse to take a position on phasing out oil and gas, when the impacts of climate breakdown are increasing year on year for workers and communities.”

“We need to see politicians deliver a fair and fast transition to renewables, building an energy system that is reliable, affordable and run in the public interest. We need cheaper and more accessible public transport that brings down car use, and we need energy efficient homes that keep people warm while bringing bills down.”