Scientists have officially declared 2016 as the hottest year since records began.

Data from a number of organisations, including NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), shows average global temperatures for 2016 were 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels.

It is the third year in a row the record has been beaten, with a combination of CO2 emissions and a strong El Niño weather event playing a role in the 2016 increase.

The news has led to renewed calls for a move away from fossil fuels which are largely responsible for the rise in greenhouse gas emissions in atmosphere.

Despite the recent trend, experts are confident that temperatures won't reach a new peak in 2017 due to the El Niño having now faded.

According to the Met Office, the phenomenon contributed about 0.2C to the annual average for 2016 while the remaining 0.9C was man-made.