IPCC report: A final warning from scientists

Eight years of work by leading, global climate scientists has led to today's sixth and final IPCC report of this series.

Today's report released by the IPCC, the "synthesis report", is the sixth in a series, summarising the devastation that has already been inflicted, and what we can do to mitigate future warming.

This includes altering how we eat, travel, use electricity and consume energy, all while reducing air pollution and improving our health. Above all, it includes the responsibility that our global leaders must take.

In 2018, the IPCC warned we must keep warming to 1.5C and that window is now closing. Human activity has so far warmed the planet 1.1C above pre-industrial levels.

As consequence, average global sea level has risen 20 cm, and 3.3 billion people are now highly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as water and food stress.

Though the latest goal has fast-forwarded to get as many countries to net zero as close to 2040 as possible, Britain is currently off track to get its emissions to net zero even by 2050, as are many others.

More ambitious goals have been set for the wealthier countries, who have the ability to transition to net zero quicker, but also have been causing more of the damage.

We are making progress and there is still hope in the voice of the experts, but the report very clearly states we must take advantage of our ability to act now.

The next report of its kind will arrive in 2030, the date we need to have hit our emissions targets by. So this is likely the final report where the 1.5C warming is still in reach.