The UN designation of the past decade as the hottest on record has been underscored by the latest heatwaves, with more than 40 per cent of the peak temperatures in Europe falling in the period since 2012.
Scientists are clear that climate change will drive more frequent and intense weather extremes, with the landmark UN report signed off by 270 scientists from 67 countries earlier this year concluding that the risks associated even with lower levels of global warming are greater than previously thought.
The planet has already warmed by at least 1.1C since pre-industrial times due to human activity, and is projected to keep warming for some time even if greenhouse gas emissions are rapidly curbed.
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