The World Environment Day 2026 feature page highlighted an article by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) explaining the climate crisis through seven key graphs. The article shows that global greenhouse gas emissions remain at record highs, global average temperatures have risen by about 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and several climate tipping points could be crossed during this century. At the same time, it points to encouraging signs, including the expansion of renewable energy and progress in emissions reductions in a number of countries.

A study published in PNAS in 2026 suggests that accelerating economic development in low- and middle-income countries could help curb future cropland expansion while contributing to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. While economic growth has often been viewed as being at odds with environmental protection, the study indicates that development may actually reduce pressure on agricultural land through lower population growth rates and higher agricultural productivity.

According to the latest forecast released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on 28 May 2026, global average temperatures are likely to remain at or near record levels over the next five years. There is an 86% chance that at least one year between 2026 and 2030 will surpass 2024 as the warmest year on record. The report also estimates a 91% probability that global mean temperature will temporarily exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in at least one year during this period. Meanwhile, Arctic warming is expected to continue at a rate far exceeding the global average. The report further points to the possible emergence of El Niño conditions in late 2026, raising concerns about impacts on temperatures and precipitation patterns around the world.

A 2026 report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warns that escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, are rapidly increasing risks to the global economy. The report highlights that developing economies, many of which depend heavily on imported fuels, food, and fertilizers, are facing mounting pressure from rising energy prices and disruptions to global logistics. Concerns are growing over higher living costs, inflation, and financial instability. At the same time, the report emphasizes that expanding investment in renewable energy and critical technologies is becoming increasingly important not only for climate action but also for economic security.

A study published in 2026 in Nature Food reported that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from global rice paddies approximately doubled during 2001–2020 compared with 1961–1980. The increase was driven primarily by the expansion of rice-growing areas and the intensification of agricultural management practices such as straw incorporation, with methane (CH₄) emissions showing particularly strong growth. At the same time, the study suggested that region-specific mitigation measures — including improved irrigation management and reductions in excessive residue incorporation — could still provide meaningful opportunities for emission reductions.

Concrete action at the local level is essential to halt biodiversity loss and rebuild humanity’s relationship with nature. Under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022, the United Nations aims to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems and conserve 30% of land and marine areas by 2030. This year’s International Day for Biological Diversity highlights the theme “Acting locally for global impact,” emphasizing the critical role of communities, local governments, and organizations in driving change. The biodiversity crisis is increasingly recognized as a challenge directly linked to food security, health, climate stability, and the global economy.

Drought stress in tropical forests is intensifying rapidly. A new study analyzing satellite and climate data from 1982 to 2019 found that vegetation droughts have become increasingly severe across tropical regions, with particularly sharp deterioration observed in African tropical forests. The primary driver is declining soil moisture associated with rising temperatures, raising concerns over reduced CO₂ absorption capacity and the possibility that some ecosystems may be approaching ecological “tipping points.” The study also found that current climate models fail to adequately reproduce these long-term trends, underscoring the urgent need for improved future projections.

On May 14, 2026, the Climate Prediction Center of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that there is an 82% chance of El Niño developing during May–July 2026 and a 96% chance that it will persist through the Northern Hemisphere winter of 2026/27.

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), the global average temperature in April 2026 ranked as the third highest on record, reaching 1.43°C above pre-industrial levels. Sea surface temperatures were the second highest ever recorded for April. With a transition toward El Niño conditions expected, further increases in global temperatures are considered likely.