WMO projects 2026 will be among four hottest years as COP31 opens in Turkey
The World Meteorological Organization projects that 2026 will rank among the four hottest years on record as United Nations climate talks open in Turkey. A strengthening El Niño could bring more extreme heat, flooding and drought into 2027, following another year of record greenhouse gas levels and rising seas. Leaders at COP31 face pressure to cut emissions and agree support for countries suffering severe climate impacts.