World’s first year-long breach of key 1.5C warming limit

For the first time, global warming has exceeded 1.5C across an entire year, according to the EU’s climate service and our Sustainability Manager Libby Kerman looks into this further.

“In 2015, world leaders pledged to keep warming below 1.5C as advised by climate scientists.

“Our first year-long breach of this temperature limit doesn’t break the Paris Climate Agreement, but it does bring us one step closer to a point of no return.

“These warm temperatures are due to a combination of human induced climate change and a natural climate warming phenomenon called El Nino, which takes place every 2-7 years.

“El Nino conditions are set to end in a few months, which will likely see temperatures stabilise and then fall back below the 1.5 degree threshold.”

Significant impacts of global warming

“Nevertheless, whilst in breach of 1.5C over the last year, we have already started to see some significant impacts of the changing climate system, including increased floods, wildfires and droughts.

“At present, scientists expect the 1.5C threshold to be breached officially within the next decade, increasing the likelihood that certain tipping points are surpassed.

“At LHP we are continuing to accelerate our efforts towards decarbonisation, specifically targeting areas where we can have the greatest impact (our SHDF & ECO4 Programmes have so far secured over £12m in funding for home energy efficiency measures).

“Colleagues can learn more about our Net Zero Journey by attending our Carbon Literacy Training courses throughout the year.”

Find out more about our sustainability efforts on our dedicated Sustainability page.