Global Environment Outlook 2025

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the 7th edition of the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) in 2025 during the 7th session of UNEP held in Nairobi, Kenya. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of the global environment, emerging risks, and pathways to sustainability.

Key Highlights of the Global Environment Outlook 2025

Rising Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have increased by 1.5% annually since 1990, reaching record levels in 2024. Global warming has already touched 1.55°C, significantly intensifying climate-related disasters.

Biodiversity Loss

The report warns that one million species out of an estimated eight million face the threat of extinction. Around 20–40% of global land is degraded, impacting the lives and livelihoods of over 3 billion people.

Economic Costs of Environmental Damage

Climate-induced extreme weather events have caused USD 143 billion in annual losses over the past two decades. Air pollution alone resulted in USD 8.1 trillion in health-related economic damages in 2019, equivalent to 6.1% of global GDP.

Pollution-Induced Mortality

Approximately 9 million deaths annually occur due to pollution-related causes, highlighting the severe public health implications of environmental degradation.

Plastic Pollution Crisis

The planet is burdened with nearly 8,000 million tonnes of plastic waste. Toxic chemical exposure from plastics leads to USD 1.5 trillion in annual health-related economic losses.

Opportunity Cost of Inaction

The report states that strategic investments in climate stability, biodiversity protection, and pollution control could generate USD 20 trillion annually by 2070, whereas inaction could devastate global economies and ecosystems.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The UNEP, established on 5th June 1972, is the world’s leading environmental authority. It sets the global environmental agenda, promotes sustainable development, and advocates for the protection of the planet.

Notable UNEP Publications

• Emission Gap Report

• Adaptation Gap Report

• Global Environment Outlook

• Frontiers Report

• Invest into Healthy Planet

Key UNEP Initiatives

• Beat Pollution

• World Environment Day

• Wild for Life

• UN75

Headquarters

• Nairobi, Kenya

Impacts of Environmental Degradation

Crossing Dangerous Climate Tipping Points

Global temperatures are likely to exceed 1.5°C by the early 2030s and 2.0°C by the 2040s, leading to irreversible ecosystem collapse and mass human displacement.

Collapse of Global Economies

Global GDP could decline by 4% by 2050 and 20% by 2100, resulting in unemployment, poverty, and systemic economic instability.

Loss of Fertile Land

Every year, fertile land equivalent to the size of Colombia or Ethiopia is lost, threatening food security, water availability, livelihoods, and biodiversity.

Nutritional Decline

Per capita food availability could decrease by 3.4% by 2050, worsening hunger, malnutrition, famine, and social unrest.

Rising Financial Burden

Environmental degradation already costs trillions of dollars annually, diverting resources from development and trapping societies in recurring crises.

Transformative Actions Recommended

Economy and Finance

The report recommends shifting to comprehensive wealth metrics such as Green GDP, pricing environmental externalities, and reforming policies to encourage decarbonization, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem restoration.

Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and meeting biodiversity goals will require about USD 8 trillion annually until 2050, far lower than the cost of inaction.

Materials and Waste

Adoption of circular economy principles, transparent material tracking, regenerative production models, and sustainable consumption patterns is emphasized.

Energy Transition

Key measures include decarbonizing energy supply, improving energy efficiency, ensuring sustainable critical mineral supply chains, and addressing energy poverty.

Nearly 9 million premature deaths could be avoided by 2050 through pollution reduction.

Food Systems

The report advocates healthy and sustainable diets, reduced food loss and waste, and improved agricultural efficiency. These measures could lift 200 million people out of undernourishment and over 100 million people out of extreme poverty.

Environment and Ecosystems

Accelerated ecosystem conservation and restoration, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and robust climate mitigation strategies are essential.

Collaboration and Integrated Action

Effective action requires collaboration among governments, private sector, civil society, academia, and Indigenous Peoples, whose traditional knowledge is vital. Policies must be implemented simultaneously across sectors to ensure a just transition.

India’s Strategic Priorities to Prevent Environmental Degradation

Green GDP Framework

India should adopt an Inclusive Wealth Index or Green GDP that accounts for the depreciation of natural capital such as forests, soil, water, and air.

Transition to a Circular Economy

A National Circular Economy Mission should be launched with sector-specific roadmaps for construction, plastics, electronics, and textiles. Mandatory recycled content and strong secondary material markets are essential.

Subsidy Reforms

India should gradually phase out fossil fuel subsidies and redirect funds toward renewable energy, electric mobility, sustainable agriculture, and public transport.

Scaling up Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-based solutions should be integrated into public spending. Mangrove restoration should be treated as coastal defense, wetlands as water security infrastructure, and urban green spaces as public health assets.

Conclusion

The GEO-7 Report presents a critical choice for humanity: undertake systemic transformation across the economy, energy, food, materials, and environment to unlock USD 20 trillion annually by 2070, or face economic collapse, ecosystem breakdown, and mass displacement. A whole-of-government approach, integration of Indigenous knowledge, and sustained USD 8 trillion annual investment until 2050 are essential to secure both planetary and human well-being.