The UN is warning that global commitments to cut planet-heating emissions are falling far short of the Paris climate goals of 1.5 degrees Celsius warming – and put the world on course for 2.6C warming this century. The report by the United Nations Environment Programme lays bare the chasm between rhetoric and action when it comes to tackling global warming, and the challenge before political leaders at November’s COP31 climate summit – set to take place next month in Turkey. Story by Emerald Maxwell.