EN 
PT_BR 
The year 2024 brought an alarming climate milestone: for the first time, global average temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for 12 consecutive months. According to Climatempo, the largest and most recognized meteorological consulting and weather forecasting company in Brazil and Latin America, this phenomenon does not automatically mean that the Paris Agreement target was not met, but it represents an important warning for governments, companies and, especially, for COP30 – the United Nations Conference on Climate Change – which will take place in November 2025, in Brazil, due to the impact of the acceleration of climate change on the goals established by the Paris Agreement.
Photo: Jose Fernando
According to a study by Alex Cannon, published in Nature Climate Change (Feb/2025), this period of exceptional warming suggests that the Paris Agreement limit may have been exceeded earlier than expected. The study, carried out within the framework of the Program for Climate Model Diagnostics and Intercomparison (PCMDI), shows that, under high emissions scenarios, such prolonged sequences of extreme heat usually occur after the long-term limit of 1.5°C has already been reached. Even under scenarios with stringent emissions reductions, there is a considerable probability that the world has already exceeded this threshold.
Another study published in Nature Climate Change (Feb/2025), and conducted by Emanuele Bevacqua, indicates that the year 2024 could mark the beginning of the 20-year period in which average global warming will reach 1.5°C. The Paris Agreement sets its goals based on 20-year averages, considering both natural variability and human-induced climate change.
“If this trend continues, the fact that 2024 exceeded 1.5°C indicates that we are already experiencing the beginning of the critical period for meeting climate goals,” warns Pedro Regoto, technical manager at Climatempo and climate specialist, highlighting that the scenario that will mark the COP30 could be even more severe, and require a reassessment of both the goals and the paths to contain greenhouse gas emissions.
Extreme events affect people and businesses
Rising global average temperatures are directly linked to the intensification of extreme weather events in several regions of the world. The record-breaking heat of 2024 was accompanied by intense heatwaves, devastating wildfires, severe droughts and extreme rainfall, affecting millions of people and impacting businesses. Areas such as southern Europe, the western United States, Australia and parts of South America saw unprecedented fires, while parts of Asia and Africa faced catastrophic flooding.
The impact of these events goes beyond the immediate damage. Water stress, crop failure and destruction of essential infrastructure increase the vulnerability of populations, especially in developing countries.
Photo: Disclosure/OPR Archive
This is a scenario that affects human and animal life, as well as the economy and activities of various sectors. It forces companies to review their plans, not only in the short term, due to adjustments in production, sales and advertising campaigns, but also in the long term. This implies reassessing the locations where operations are installed, adapting infrastructure and implementing climate resilience measures. “Companies and governments are increasingly concerned about preparing and preventing these phenomena. Studies highlight the urgent need for rigorous mitigation actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the pace of global warming,” notes Pedro Regoto. “The year 2024 is not a sign of defeat, but a call to action to accelerate adaptation and mitigation policies, aiming to protect the future of the planet and future generations,” he adds.
Furthermore, ocean warming is contributing to coral bleaching and the intensification of tropical cyclones, with devastating consequences for marine ecosystems and coastal communities. “While a single year above 1.5°C does not mean the Paris Agreement will fail, it serves as a stark warning. The risk is that the planet is rapidly moving towards a point of no return, where the impacts of climate change will become more severe and difficult to reverse,” says Regoto.
Photo: Disclosure/Embrapa Soja
Through specialized technological tools, which include SMAC (Climatempo Monitoring and Alert System), the support of weather radars and the in-depth analysis of climate information carried out by its meteorologists, Climatempo has been meeting the demands of both the public sector, assisting Civil Defense agencies in taking the necessary measures to minimize the risk of extreme weather conditions to the population, and the private sector, including energy, media, airline and infrastructure companies, among others. “Climate monitoring services have become a fundamental tool in the climate resilience strategy of companies in all sectors and governments, which need more accurate and timely future information to deal with extreme situations”, says Climatempo's technical manager.
