According to a new United Nations report, global climate change is exacerbating extreme weather events bringing risks to lives, livelihoods and long-term development goals, especially to developing and more vulnerable countries, particularly in developing world.

The findings, presented by senior UN officials, indicate that global warming is causing droughts, floods, heat waves and storms to happen more frequently and intensely, with impacts already evident in many parts of the world. Yet, even with a warming of just 1.2°C for the planet, which remains close to the threshold set under the Paris Agreement, the report suggests that weather variability and uncertainty are increasing, placing increasing pressure on water resources, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Furthermore, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the need to step up global climate action, current commitments have proved insufficient to protect the most vulnerable. Scientific evidence clearly shows that each degree of warming has an impact, and they need to do more to reduce emissions, particular to build resilience in developing nations,” he said, urging world leaders to do more to reduce emissions, especially and in particular, build resilience in developing nations.

The report outlines the impacts of climate extremes on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and other vulnerable regions with weak adaptive capacity. In several regions, however, human health systems are under extreme stress due to the effects of excessive heat, and irregular rainfall poses risks to food production and sources of fresh water. The UN warned that the economic losses caused by climate disasters are tying up the debt burden and hampering efforts for the eradication of poverty and sustainable development.

UN agencies are calling for bold action on multiple fronts: quick decarbonisation and substantial investment in adaptation to a changing climate, and improved early warning systems to safeguard people and communities. Governments emphasised the need to double financing for adaptation in developing countries to stop the increasing escalation of loss and damage resulting from climate change.

The report also emphasises that the climate change is not only environmental but also a development and humanitarian crisis. If action is not taken by the end of the decade, progress in health, economic growth and global stability are at risk of being set back.

The UN report delivers a stark warning that the climate situation is critical, yet it is not too late to steer a safer, more equitable and, together with political will, financial offer, and international cooperation, turn the wheel if we act quickly enough.