Arctic sea ice could disappear even if world achieves climate target

Goal of limiting rise in average global temperatures to below 2C may not prevent ice-free Arctic, scientists warn

Arctic sea ice could vanish in summers this century even if governments achieve a core target for limiting global warming set by almost 200 countries, scientists have said.

The ice has been shrinking steadily in recent decades, damaging the livelihoods of indigenous people and wildlife, such as polar bears, while opening the region to more shipping and oil and gas exploration.