World on brink of global climate deal

Gland, Switzerland – Next week, world leaders will meet in Paris where a global climate deal is expected to be agreed.

Leaders are under pressure to ensure that they conclude a deal that meets the demands of science and reduces greenhouse gas emissions sufficiently to keep global warming below 1.5⁰C. Scientists agree that this is the upper limit for the survival for many communities and ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, Arctic ice regimes, and Pacific Island states among many others.

The urgency of concluding an ambitious deal was underscored with recent news that global temperatures had risen to 1⁰C above pre-industrial levels, reaffirming scientists‘ predictions that 2015 will be the hottest year in recorded history.