Campaigners have reacted strongly following the publication of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. 

Charities and climate experts have warned that the planet is on “thin ice” as governments across the world were urged to take urgent climate action to secure a liveable future for all. 

On Monday the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its Synthesis Report - outlining steps that can be taken to avert the worst of the impending climate disaster. 

The IPCC’s latest report outlines multiple, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change, with pleas for leaders in Scotland and further afield to take heed. 

In 2018, IPCC highlighted the unprecedented scale of the challenge required to keep warming to 1.5°C. Five years later, that challenge has become even greater due to a continued increase in greenhouse gas emissions. 

The report warns the pace and scale of what has been done so far, and current plans, are insufficient to tackle climate change.

Approved during a week-long session in Interlaken, the report brings in to sharp focus the losses and damages we are already experiencing and will continue into the future, hitting the most vulnerable people and ecosystems especially hard. 

Co-author of the report, Aditi Mukherji, said: "We are not on the right track - but it's not too late. Our intention is really a message of hope, and not that of doomsday."

Following the publication, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a plea to governments. 

He said: “Humanity is on thin ice — and that ice is melting fast.

“This report is a clarion call to massively fast-track climate efforts by every country and every sector and on every timeframe.

“In short, our world needs climate action on all fronts — everything, everywhere, all at once.”

Oxfam Scotland has responded to the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s Synthesis Report by calling for the Scottish Government to end its ‘mealy-mouthed meekness’ on oil and gas and force polluters to pay for their damage. 

Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “The science is chillingly and consistently clear: we have reached a critical climate crossroads. It is still possible to limit global heating to 1.5 °C, but only just.  

“Devastating droughts, floods and cyclones are striking hammer blows to the low-income countries who did least to cause this crisis. Every fraction of a degree of heating prevented will be counted in millions of lives saved. Rich governments must now end their fossil fuel addictions while funnelling fair funding to low-income countries to counter the damage.  

“The Scottish Government’s must deliver on its climate promises to the world: meeting rather than missing upcoming emission reduction targets by funding faster climate action by making polluters pay for their damage.   

“We can also afford no more mealy-mouthed meekness on the subject of further exploration and extraction of oil and gas: the planet is on fire; now is not the time to light another match. Humanity’s future lays in decisions taken today: Scottish Ministers must choose the right path and oppose any new licences issued by the UK Government.”