The world’s most ambitious climate target is under threat, both from physics and politics. But what would it mean for the planet and its inhabitants if humanity were to abandon the goal to limit global heating to 1.5C above preindustrial levels?
The inclusion of 1.5C was hailed as a triumph of the Paris climate agreement of 2015. Until then, international ambition had been limited to 2C, much to the frustration of small island states and others on the frontline of climate disruption.
Eight years on, the only real change has been in the severity of the climate crisis. Oil companies are racking up record profits and plan to expand production. Emissions have reached record levels.
In the first 10 months
