In order to scientifically understand and address climate change risks effectively, the Climate Change Center of the China Meteorological Administration has annually published the China Climate Change Blue Book since 2011. This comprehensive report covers the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere and climate change drivers, utilizing detailed scientific data to reflect global and Chinese climate change trends. The report aims to, support government decision-making, public services, industry users, and scientific research, aligning with Xi Jinping’s ecological civilization ideology and promoting disaster prevention and reduction.
The “China Climate Change Blue Book (2024)” reveals a persistent warming trend of the global climate system. In 2023, global average temperatures, ocean heat content, and sea levels reached new highs, while Antarctic Sea ice extent hit a new low. China, being a particularly vulnerable area, experienced significant impact from global climate change. Monitoring data from 2023 showed record highs in China’s average annual temperature, the retreat distance of Glacier No. 1 at the source of the Urumqi River, and the thickness of the active layer in permafrost areas along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway.
According to the analysis of global surface temperature datasets by the China Meteorological Administration, 2023 marked the highest global average temperature over the past decade (2014-2023) was approximately 1.2°C higher than the pre-industrial level (average from 1850 to 1900).
In Asia, the average temperature in 2023 was 0.92°C above the long-term average ( using the climate reference period from 1991 to 2020), the second highest since 1901. Similarly; China experienced its warmest year since 1901, with temperatures 0.84°C above the long term average.
Extreme weather and climate events are becoming more frequent and severe. From 1961 to 2023, China’s average annual precipitation has shown an increasing trend, increasing by an average of 5.2 mm every decade. Extreme high temperatures and heavy precipitation events have become more frequent and stronger in China, while extreme low temperature events in China have intensified, while extreme low temperature events have generally decreased. The average number of dust days in northern China has significantly decreased, reaching a recent historical low but showing a slight increase, and the average intensity fluctuations of typhoons making landfall in China have increased since the late 1990s.
Global ocean warming has accelerated significantly, with sea surface temperatures and ocean heat content reaching new highs. The global average sea level continues to rise, reaching its highest level since satellite records began in 2023.
Along China’s coastline, the rate of sea level rise has accelerated, averaging 4.0 mm/year from 1993 to 2023, higher than the global average of 3.4 mm/year over the same period. In 2023, sea levels along China’s coast were 72 mm higher than the average from 1993 to 2011.
