Climate Science Weekly — 2026-11-13
NOAA reported that October 2026 had the highest global temperature departure for any month in its 1850–2026 record, while a newly reported climate-policy review found progress in some regions alongside setbacks in parts of Europe.
Climate Science Weekly — 2026-11-13
Key Research & Findings
Policy progress varies sharply by region
- Published in: Oxford Climate Policy Monitor, as reported by Phys.org
- Key finding: The Monitor found that progress in Asia, Africa and Latin America more than offset weakening or reversal of climate policies in parts of Europe.
- Why it matters: The findings point to uneven policy momentum across regions, rather than a uniform global direction.

Climate risks to the world’s ice
- Published in: WIRED (news report; the research publication details are not provided in the results)
- Key finding: WIRED reported that climate change has pushed the world’s ice out of its “safe zone,” increasing the risk of “accelerating and partly irreversible” harm to cold places.
- Why it matters: The report highlights the potential for worsening impacts in the cryosphere, though the research details and measurements were not available in the supplied results.

October’s record global temperature departure
- Published in: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)
- Key finding: October 2026’s global surface temperature was 2.57°F (1.43°C) above the 20th-century average, the highest temperature departure for any month in the 1850–2026 record.
- Why it matters: NOAA’s report places October’s reading at the top of its record for monthly departures from the 20th-century average.
Climate Data & Observations
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| October 2026 global surface temperature departure | 2.57°F above the 20th-century average | |
| October 2026 global surface temperature departure | 1.43°C above the 20th-century average | |
| Record standing | Highest temperature departure for any month in the 1850–2026 record |
These figures describe the same October 2026 global temperature departure in Fahrenheit and Celsius, and NOAA says it was the highest monthly departure in its 1850–2026 record.
Policy & Action
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Oxford Climate Policy Monitor finds regional progress amid setbacks: The review reported progress in Asia, Africa and Latin America that more than offset weakening or reversal of climate policies in parts of Europe.
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China rules out hosting COP33 in 2028: The Guardian reported that China has ruled out hosting the 2028 UN climate summit, a decision described as disappointing to experts hoping the world’s biggest emitter would take a leading role.

- COP31 discussions confront a missed Paris Agreement goal: The New York Times reported that leaders at COP31 are confronting the view that a key Paris Agreement temperature goal is dead, as global warming enters what the article calls the “unsafe zone.”
What to Watch Next
No specific upcoming report releases, deadlines or future milestones were identified in the fresh results. These research questions remain worth watching:
- Can regional policy gains continue to offset setbacks elsewhere? The Oxford Climate Policy Monitor findings describe progress in Asia, Africa and Latin America alongside policy weakening or reversal in parts of Europe.
- How will risks to the world’s ice develop? WIRED reported increased risk of accelerating and partly irreversible harm to cold places, but the supplied results do not include detailed projections.
- How will COP31 leaders respond to the temperature-goal challenge? The New York Times says leaders are confronting a key Paris Agreement goal described as dead; the supplied result does not specify what decisions may follow.
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