United Nations reports world will exceed 1.5 degree warming target

The United Nations Environment Programme said on Tuesday that global temperatures will probably pass 1.5 degrees Celsius within the next ten years. This target was agreed at the 2015 Paris climate conference to protect vulnerable countries from severe weather.

The report says countries have already exceeded 1.5°C over the past three years. Current government plans would cut emissions by only 12 to 15 percent by 2035. Scientists say a 55 percent cut is needed to stay within the 1.5°C limit.

At current rates, the remaining carbon budget will run out by 2030. Temperatures could reach around 1.8°C before falling again, but this is difficult to achieve. Extreme heat already causes nearly 500,000 deaths every year.