The outline of a firefighter spraying water can be seen at the centre of the image. In the background grass shrubland is on fire with sparks flying in the airImage source, Sigit Prasetya/NurPhoto/Getty Images
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From Western Europe to Indonesia, countries have battled wildfires throughout 2026 following record heat from climate change and El Niño

ByEsme Stallard, Senior climate and science reporter and Justin Rowlatt, Climate Editor
  • Published19 minutes ago

The world is on course for its hottest year on record as the planet is hit with warming from climate change and El Niño, scientists have told BBC News.

The warning comes as world leaders and negotiators gather in Turkey on Monday for the opening of COP31, the latest UN climate summit.