Fossil fuel phaseout urgent as 1.5°C target likely to be passed by 2030, group warns

A report by the Copernicus Climate Change Service shows that 2025 was the third-hottest year on record, marking the first time a three-year period has exceeded the 1.5°C limit.
Just two weeks into 2026, wildfires ravaged parts of Australia, Argentina, and South Africa, a snowstorm disrupted Europe, and floodwaters inundated Indonesia.
A statement on Wednesday by 350.org noted experts warned that, based on current warming rates, the 1.5°C heating threshold would likely be breached by the end of 2030, or over a decade earlier than previously predicted.
“Another year in the top three hottest on record, and communities everywhere are feeling it. Extreme weather isn’t rare anymore—it’s driving up food prices, insurance premiums, water shortages, and upending daily life across the globe,” said Savio Carvalho, 350.org managing director for Campaigns and Networks. “Governments know fossil fuels are the cause of climate breakdown, yet they keep stalling on the transition. We don’t have the luxury of wasting time or taking side paths – we are running out of time.”
Meanwhile, Indonesia experienced some of the worst climate-fuelled disasters in 2025. More than 1,100 lives were lost in Sumatra after a rare tropical cyclone triggered flash floods, while 18 were killed in Bali’s worst flooding in decades.
Bali flood victims, including a 350.org organiser, are suing the Indonesian government for damages, following an International Court of Justice ruling on state accountability for climate harms.
Suriadi Darmoko, 350.org organiser and plaintiff in the Bali climate lawsuit, said, “Entire communities are still buried in mud. Thousands of families are still grieving and struggling to have their basic needs met. We refuse to be treated as mere climate disaster victims.
“Our leaders have kept the world hooked on fossil fuels even as they knew decades ago it would lead to such tragedies. The Indonesian government must honour its commitments to limit temperature rise below 1.5 °C and take immediate action to phase out fossil fuels. Science and justice are on our side — we’ll make sure that big polluters pay for climate devastation.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Woman drags friend to court over alleged threat to life
The complainant claimed that the defendant accused her of witchcraft that caused pain and constant fear.

NationWide
FG, ASUU sign long-awaited renegotiated agreement to revive tertiary education
Mr Pinuwa said that the 2025 agreement was the outcome of a renegotiation process initiated in 2017 to revitalise Nigeria’s university system.

States
One dead as rival cult groups clash at Michael Koleoso poly
Mr Olayinka stated, “A student sustained a gunshot wound to the back and was rushed to Tunmise Private Hospital, Saki, where the victim later succumbed to the injury.”

NationWide
Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Enugu recorded highest inmate populations in Q2 2025:NBS
The NBS stated that inmate population rose from 69,946 in 2017 to 81,710 in Q2 2025.

States
TCN completes transmission line, restores power supply to Taraba
Ms Mbah said that the restoration was after the completion of all pre-commissioning test and the mandatory soak period, in line with standard operational procedures.

States
Motor boy dies in Ogun road accident
Mr Hammed said that a witness explained that the Benz truck lost control due to brake failure, and rammed into the containerised truck.





