IPCC says world can avoid worst of climate breakdown – if it acts now

Positive framing of otherwise grim report a counterblast to those who dismiss hopes of limiting global heating to 1.5C

Avoiding the worst ravages of climate breakdown is still possible, and there are “multiple, feasible and effective options” for doing so, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said.

Hoesung Lee, chair of the body, which is made up of the world’s leading climate scientists, made clear that – despite the widespread damage already being caused by extreme weather, and the looming threat of potentially catastrophic changes – the future was still humanity’s to shape.