UN climate report: Minster claims COP26 'world's best chance to avert climate disaster'
The report states the higher the temperature, the more likely severe weather events are to occur, including increased rainfall and drought.
Last updated 9th Aug 2021
Scotland's Net Zero Secretary says Cop26 in Glasgow will be the world's best chance to counter the worst effect of climate change.
It comes as the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report this morning, painting a stark picture of the impact of humanity on the climate due to the burning of fossil fuels and other pollutions.
According to the findings, global warming will continue into at least the middle of this century, but failure to take action to limit CO2 emissions now would mean the target set by governments - of remaining below 1.5C of warming - will be missed.
The report also claimed that global warming could even exceed 2C in this century without urgent action.
The IPCC said the higher the temperature, the more likely severe weather events are to occur, including increased rainfall and drought.
It comes as the clean-up continues in Glasgow after a weekend of torrential rain cut off whole streets and forced businesses to shut.
Pictures show flooding in Battlefield in the south side of Glasgow
A photo of a 'mermaid' in the floods in Battlefield went viral on Sunday
Pictures show flooding in Battlefield in the south side of Glasgow
A photo of a 'mermaid' in the floods in Battlefield went viral on Sunday
The findings also offer hope if humanity is to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the coming decade, saying: "From a physical science perspective, limiting human-induced global warming to a specific level requires limiting cumulative CO2 emissions, reaching at least net zero CO2 emissions, along with strong reductions in other greenhouse gas emissions."
Coming three months ahead of Cop26 in Glasgow - considered a key moment in the fight against climate change - Scotland's Net Zero Secretary Michael Matheson said it could be the last chance to save the planet from a climate catastrophe.
Mr Matheson said: "This report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows the very real threat and heightened risk the climate emergency poses to the planet - but it also makes it clear that with immediate, concerted international action to reduce emissions, global temperature rise can still be limited to 1.5C in the longer term.
"We will carefully consider the latest advice contained in the report and encourage others to do so, too. We will not get many more warnings before time runs out.
"Cop26 in Glasgow represents the world's best chance - perhaps one of our last chances - to avert the worst impacts of climate change.
"We must deliver on the principles of the Paris Agreement with lasting action to secure a net zero and climate-resilient future in a way that is fair and just for everyone."
Mr Matheson added: "It is crucial that the international community takes this opportunity to raise global climate action and ambition.
"The eyes of the world will be on Cop26 and on Scotland this year.
"We'll demonstrate the climate action we are taking, the ways in which we put people and wellbeing at the heart of all we do, and how our Scottish values underpin our place in the world."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also said on Monday she would be writing to the Prime Minister to encourage more cooperation between the governments of the UK on climate change in light of the report, which she described as "a grim wake-up call''.
Scottish Labour's net zero spokeswoman Monica Lennon said the First Minister must oppose the Cambo oil field proposal near Shetland, which would release an estimated 135 million tonnes of carbon during its lifetime.
"To avoid the worst-case climate scenarios, it's vital that our governments act on the findings of the IPCC report,'' Ms Lennon said.
"For starters, Nicola Sturgeon must loudly oppose the proposed Cambo oil field and stop hiding behind Boris Johnson, who treats climate emergency and the need for a just transition for workers and communities like a big joke.
"If we start meeting our own climate targets in Scotland, we'll be in a better position to demand quicker progress from other governments.
"The climate emergency is the biggest challenge of our time, and that's why Scottish Labour will continue to fight for the bold and urgent action that the public rightly expects both the UK and Scottish governments to take."
Over the weekend, Cop26 President Alok Sharma laid bear the enormous threat failing to curb emissions poses humanity.
He said: "You're seeing on a daily basis what is happening across the world. Last year was the hottest on record, the last decade the hottest decade on record."
He warned world was getting "dangerously close" to running out of time to cut greenhouse gas, adding: "I don't think we're out of time but I think we're getting dangerously close to when we might be out of time."
Mr Sharma said: "Every fraction of a degree rise makes a difference and that's why countries have to act now."
"We're seeing the impacts across the world - in the UK or the terrible flooding we've seen across Europe and China, or forest fires, the record temperatures that we've seen in North America," he said.
"Every day you will see a new high being recorded in one way or another across the world."