Climate Change: Key Data, Statistics & Facts for GD, Lecturette and Interviews

Fresh SSB batches start around the 1st & 15th of every month.

🌍 Global Climate Indicators

• Global average temperature has increased by ~1.2°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900).
• 2024 was the hottest year on record, ~1.48°C above pre-industrial levels.
• World projected to breach 1.5°C threshold temporarily within this decade.
• Atmospheric CO₂ concentration crossed 420 ppm in 2023 (pre-industrial ~280 ppm).

• Global GHG emissions: ~59 billion tonnes CO₂-equivalent per year.
• Top emitters (share of global CO₂ emissions):
  • China: ~30%
  • United States: ~14%
  • India: ~7–8%
• Per-capita emissions:
  • USA: ~14–15 tonnes
  • China: ~8–9 tonnes
  • India: ~2 tonnes
  • Global average: ~4.7 tonnes

• Global mean sea level has risen by ~20 cm since 1900.
• Current rate: ~3.7 mm per year, accelerating.
• By 2100, sea levels could rise 0.4–1.0 metres, threatening coastal cities and islands.

❄️ Ice & Cryosphere

• Arctic sea ice extent declining at ~13% per decade.
• Greenland & Antarctic ice sheets losing ~400 billion tonnes of ice per year.
• Himalayan glaciers retreating rapidly; 30–50% ice loss projected by 2100 under high-emission scenarios.

🌧 Extreme Weather Events

• Heatwave frequency increased 3–5 times since 1950s.
• Floods, cyclones, droughts more intense and unpredictable.
• Economic losses from climate disasters exceed USD 300 billion annually.
• Over 85% of disaster-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Emissions & Responsibility

• India is 3rd largest emitter in absolute terms.
• Contributes <4% of historical cumulative emissions despite ~18% of world population.
• Emissions intensity of GDP reduced by ~33% between 2005–2019.

• India among top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries.
• 50%+ agriculture rain-fed and climate-sensitive.
• Over 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress.
• Heatwaves cause thousands of deaths annually, reduce labour productivity.

• Crop yields may reduce 10–25% by mid-century.
• Wheat yields drop sharply above 34°C during grain filling.
• Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall threaten food prices and farmer incomes.

• 7,500 km coastline vulnerable to sea-level rise and cyclones.
• Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata face high flood risk.
• Urban flooding events increased sharply in last decade.

🌱 Climate Action & Targets

Global

• To limit warming to 1.5°C, emissions must fall ~43% by 2030 (from 2019 levels).
• Net-zero targets: EU/USA 2050, China 2060, India 2070.

• Reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
• Achieve 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
• Installed renewable energy capacity (2024): ~180 GW.
• Target: 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.

• Global emissions still rising, not declining fast enough.
• Climate finance gap: developing countries need USD 1–1.3 trillion annually by 2030; current flows far lower.
• Adaptation funding <25% of total climate finance.
• Loss & Damage costs for vulnerable countries may reach USD 400–500 billion annually by 2030.

• 1.2°C warming | 420 ppm CO₂ | 59 bn tonnes emissions | 300 bn USD annual losses — defining today’s climate crisis.