Q&A: how fast do we need to cut carbon emissions?

How much time do we have and what needs to be done to avoid catastrophic consequences of global heating?

• Half world's fossil fuel assets could become worthless by 2036 in net zero transition

Speed matters - the longer we leave it, the harder it gets. Scientists now know that achieving any climate outcome, such as the Paris agreement goal of limiting global heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial temperatures, is dependent on cumulative emissions over time.