Significant climate milestones of 2023

Subject : Environment

Section: Climate change

Hottest Year in History:

2023 is likely to be declared the hottest year, exceeding the previous record of 2016 by 0.1°C and surpassing pre-industrial levels by 1.43°C.
Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) data highlights the sustained high temperatures throughout the year.

Unprecedented Sea Surface Temperatures:

Marine heat waves, occurring when ocean temperatures exceed 90% of past observations, were widespread in 2023, affecting 48% of global oceans.
Global sea surface temperatures remained exceptionally high.

Antarctic Sea Ice Extent at Record Low:

Antarctic sea ice experienced historically low growth in 2023, with an annual maximum extent of 16.96 million sq. km in September, the lowest since 1979.

Record Carbon Dioxide Levels:

Global carbon dioxide emissions hit a new high in 2023, albeit with a slight plateau due to decreased deforestation, increasing by 1.1% from the previous year.

Creation of Loss and Damage Fund:

COP28 initiated the first loss and damage fund for climate change impacts, established at the start of the conference in December.
The fund, housed at the World Bank but managed independently, received $792 million in pledges from governments, falling short of the needed billions.

Climate Impact of Food Systems Addressed:

At COP28,134 countries pledged to tackle the climate impact of the food industry, representing over 70% of global food consumption and 76% of related emissions.
However, critics noted the absence of specific quantitative targets in this historic declaration.
Countries also signed the Declaration on Climate and Health. (India didn’t sign it).
- The COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health is a non-binding, non-negotiated call to action and collective commitment that reflects the concerns and common position of countries on the importance of health within climate discourse and in the COP process.