Around the world there are various happy traditions linked to the end of the year, but in recent times a new and unwelcome global trend for December has emerged: the toppling of climate records.
December 2025 is proving to be no exception, with news reports in recent weeks having highlighted a series of “hottest evers”.
Last week, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration revealed the Arctic experienced its warmest year since records began.
The organisation’s figures, which apply to the 12 months from October 2024 to September 2025, indicate that during this period, temperatures were 1.6 °C higher than the average for 1991 to 2020.
Tom Ballinger, a University of Alaska researcher who co-authored the NOAA’s annual Arctic Report Card, branded the figures “alarming”.
It brings to mind forecasts from a year ago suggesting that the Arctic could be ice-free by the summer of 2027.
Following on from NOAA’s announcement, the Met Office in the UK said this week 2025 was set to be the country’s hottest year on record, with the temperature averaging 10.05°C, up from the previous high of 10.03°C. The UK’s 10 hottest years on record have been during the past 20 years, the organisation said.
Spain has also been breaking records, with August's heatwave meaning the nation experienced its hottest-ever summer.
But, globally, 2025 is not quite a record-breaker. Early in December, the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said this year was tied with 2023 as the world’s second-hottest year on record, with temperatures from January to November 1.48 °C up on pre-industrial levels.
This is marginally down on 2024, the all-time hottest year so far, when temperatures were 1.6 °C above pre-industrial levels.
Let’s see what 2026 has in store in terms of climate records, action to limit climate change and new technology that could address the challenges the planet is facing.
Drivers and pedestrians work their way through flooded streets in the Al Quoz area of Dubai following last week's downpours. Antonie Robertson / The National
Severe rains lashed the UAE late last week, with Ras Al Khaimah experiencing as much rain on Thursday and Friday as it normally gets in a year. Heavy rains had been predicted by forecasters.
Over the two days, 127mm of rain fell in Al Ghaznah area, according to the National Centre of Meteorology, while the Jebel Jais mountain destination had to be closed, as reported by David Tusing here.
Other emirates also faced a deluge, with Dubai Police receiving more than 39,000 calls during the same two days.
Read more about how Dubai Police responded to the extreme conditions here.
The Garadagh solar plant operated by Masdar in Baku, Azerbaijan. Pawan Singh / The National
Masdar, the Abu Dhabi clean-energy company, is continuing its global expansion by agreeing to develop a floating solar plant in Malaysia.
With a capacity of 200 megawatts, the $208 million facility – Masdar’s largest floating solar plant – is set to be able to provide power to more than 100,000 homes.
The plant at the Chereh Dam in the state of Pahang will be Masdar’s first project in Malaysia, although the organisation has other schemes in South-east Asia, including in Indonesia.
Read more about the plans in Alvin R Cabral’s story here.
The big fact
Last month, global temperatures were 1.54 °C above pre-industrial levels, according to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
The centre also said that the average for 2023-2025 was set to be more than 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels - the threshold that the 2015 Paris Agreement aimed to ensure was not breached.
Jargon buster
Pre-industrial temperatures: these are the average temperatures between 1850 and 1900, a reference period before the climate was significantly affected by the burning of fossil fuels.
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What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
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In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
