UN warns world must take 'unprecedented' steps to avert worst effects of global warming

INCHEON, Republic of Korea - Society would have to enact "unprecedented" changes to how it consumes energy, travels and builds to meet a lower global warming target or it risks increases in heat waves, flood-causing storms and the chances of drought in some regions as well as the loss of species, a UN report said on Monday.

Keeping the Earth's temperature rise to only 1.5 C rather than the 2 C target agreed to at the Paris Agreement talks in 2015, would have "clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems", the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said on Monday in a statement announcing the report's release.

The 48th IPCC session lasted for five days to Friday in the Republic of Korea's western port city of Incheon, bringing together about 570 representatives from over 130 countries and international organizations.