Climate change is already having significant impacts on people's health in Australia and around the world. Limiting warming to 1.5°C would significantly reduce the frequency and severity of climate change impacts compared to a 2°C or higher temperature rise. The latest research on limiting climate change tells us that warming can be held to 1.5°C, or close to it. However, it requires significant global action to be taken very quickly.

In 2015, governments asked the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – the world’s most authoritative climate science body – to advise on how the world can limit global warming to 1.5°C and to examine climate impacts at this level of warming. This report will be released on October 8, 2018.

This briefing addresses some frequently asked questions about limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and explains some of the key issues that will be covered by the IPCC’s latest report. It has been prepared by Climate KIC, Environment Victoria, Australian Conservation Foundation, Future Earth, and Climate and Health Alliance.