Scientists have revealed how to solve the climate crisis, but will we listen?

Amid the triple crisis of the war in Ukraine, the still-raging pandemic and escalating inflation, climate scientists have just pulled off a truly impressive achievement. They have stood firm and persuaded the world's governments to agree to a common guide to solving the climate emergency. Despite the despair of mounting global problems, the release of the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows some grounds for hope.

- Simon Lewis

After the recent reports on the causes and effects of climate change, this one covers solutions - with a summary signed off by the world's governments.

The summary is blunt and clear, and in many places acknowledges realities that scientists and campaigners have known for years but governments often avoided directly admitting.

First, it is clearly acknowledged that North America and Europe have made the greatest contribution to the crisis we are living through, by producing by far the most carbon dioxide emissions since the industrial revolution.

The report shows that today the average North American emits 16 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year from fossil fuel use, compared with just 2 tonnes for the average African. Consumption by the top 10% of households comprises over a third of global greenhouse gases, compared with 15% of these gases for the bottom 50% of households. Every government now agrees that the climate crisis is driven by how the world's wealthy which includes much of the UK's population - currently live, consume and invest. This is a major leap forward compared with previous reports.