According to a climate report, Europe, the world’s fastest-warming continent, was 2.3 degrees Celsius hotter last year than during pre-industrial times, with temperatures increasing by 1.5C above pre-industrial levels over the past 30 years.

The report, issued by the World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, warns of increased deadly heatwaves, drought, record sea-surface temperatures, and unprecedented glacier melt, which have led to wildfires, damage worth $2 billion, and over 16,000 heat-associated deaths in 2022.

On a positive note, the report highlights that wind and solar power generated 22.3% of European Union electricity in 2022, surpassing fossil gas for the first time.