China
China has endured its hottest summer on record in 2025 as heatwaves scorched large parts of the country, with the national average temperature reaching 22.31C from June to August, according to the meteorological authority. This surpasses the previous record of 22.30C set in 2024, highlighting the growing impact of climate change that has also led to record heat in countries like the UK, Japan, and South Korea this year.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Across China
From June to August, “large parts of China experienced intense heat, with the national average temperature reaching 22.31C”, the hottest summer since records began in 1961, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said in a social media post on Monday. Temperatures in the capital Beijing rose to nearly 40C in June, and authorities warned in July of heat-related health risks across large swathes of eastern China.
Shanghai authorities said the city had sweltered through 27 days of temperatures hotter than 35C in August, the most since record keeping started. According to the CMA, stronger high-pressure weather systems contributed to clearer skies and more exposure to heat from the sun across the country this year. The CMA said that while parts of China would experience a brief reprieve from blistering heat in the middle of the week, cities including Shanghai would see daily highs exceeding 35C again by the end of the week.
Last year’s summer was also a record-breaking one in China, setting the bar at 22.30C. Globally, 2024 was the world’s hottest year on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization. This year isn’t looking to let up on the heat – this week officials in Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom also announced record average summer temperatures.
In Japan, the summer of 2025 was the hottest on record, with temperatures averaging 1.76C above normal, surpassing the previous record set in 2023. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported widespread heatwaves, with Tokyo experiencing 54 days above 30C, leading to over 123,000 heatstroke cases and 120 deaths. South Korea also faced its hottest summer, with an average temperature of 25.6C, breaking the 1994 record, and Seoul recording its highest-ever nighttime low of 30.4C. The Korea Meteorological Administration linked this to climate change, noting increased tropical nights and heat-related illnesses.
The United Kingdom saw its joint-hottest summer on record in 2025, tying with 2022 at an average of 15.05C, according to the Met Office. England had its warmest summer ever at 15.8C, with heatwaves pushing temperatures over 34C in southern areas, exacerbating wildfires and water shortages.
Deadly Floods and Extreme Weather Patterns
Global warming, driven largely by the burning of fossil fuels, is not just about rising temperatures, but the knock-on effect of all the extra heat in the atmosphere and seas. Warmer air can hold more water vapour, and warmer oceans mean greater evaporation, resulting in more intense downpours and storms.
Heavy rain has hit China this summer, with the resulting floods and mudslides killing dozens. At least 44 people died in the capital Beijing’s rural suburbs after floods submerged homes in July. In normally arid Inner Mongolia, tourists at a campsite were swept away by a flash flood in August which killed at least nine people.
Similar patterns emerged globally. In Europe, the 2025 heatwaves were among the deadliest, with over 5,000 deaths reported across the continent by mid-summer. Spain and Portugal saw temperatures exceed 46C, breaking national records for June, while France and Italy faced severe wildfires. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service noted that June 2025 was the planet’s third-warmest on record, with global averages 0.76C above the 1991-2020 baseline.
In the United States, heatwaves in the Southwest pushed temperatures to 49C in Arizona, leading to hundreds of heat-related deaths. India endured its longest heatwave in history, lasting 24 days in May-June, with temperatures over 50C in some areas, causing over 100 fatalities.
China’s Role in Climate Change and Renewable Efforts
China is the world’s largest producer of carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas, though it has pledged to bring its emissions to a peak by the end of this decade and to net zero by 2060. The country has also emerged as a global leader in renewable energy in recent years as it seeks to pivot its massive economy away from highly polluting coal consumption.
In 2025, China installed a record 240 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity, surpassing global totals from previous years. The country’s push for green tech includes dominating 80% of the world’s solar panel production and leading in electric vehicle adoption, with over 10 million EVs sold domestically. However, coal still powers 60% of its energy, contributing to persistent air pollution and heat-trapping emissions.
Experts warn that without faster cuts, events like the 2025 heatwaves will become the norm. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts more frequent extremes if global warming exceeds 1.5C, a threshold already approached in 2025’s records.
Impacts on Daily Life and Economy
In China, the heat has strained power grids, with Chongqing and Sichuan facing blackouts as air conditioning demand surged. Farmers reported crop losses, with rice yields down 10% in affected regions, threatening food security. Urban areas like Shanghai saw reduced worker productivity and increased hospital admissions for heatstroke.
Globally, the economic toll is staggering. The 2025 European heatwaves cost an estimated €10 billion in lost agriculture and tourism, while Japan’s heat led to ¥1.5 trillion in damages from health and energy costs.
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