Global Environment Outlook 2025:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has released the 7th edition of Global Environment Outlook 2025 (GEO-7) during the 7th session of the UNEP in Nairobi.
Key Highlights of Global Environment Outlook Report 2025:
- Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have increased by 1.5% annually since 1990, reaching record highs (1.55°C) in 2024 and intensifying climate impacts.
- One million species out of an estimated eight million are threatened with extinction. 20–40% of the global land area is degraded, affecting over 3 billion people.
- Climate-related extreme weather events cost approximately USD 143 billion annually over the last two decades; air pollution induced health damages alone cost USD8.1 trillion in 2019 (6.1% of global GDP).
- 9 million deaths occur annually from pollution-related causes.
- The report states that strategic investments in climate stability, biodiversity, and pollution reduction could yield USD 20 trillion annually by 2070, whereas inaction risks devastating both economies and ecosystems.
- 8,000 million tonnes of plastic waste pollute the planet, with toxic chemical exposure causing USD1.5 trillion in annual health-related economic losses.
