After a summer of climate-related disasters, the latest report from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is a dire warning to the world. The planet faces a “rapidly narrowing window” to avert catastrophic levels of warming. The Earth is expected to warm by 2.4 degrees Celsius by the turn of the century – a smaller increase than was predicted a few years ago, but scientists say the globe should not exceed the 1.5 degree mark. The forecast should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and business leaders ahead of the annual UN climate conference (COP28) starting next month. In addition, early analyses show that September significantly broke the global temperature record. But the news is not all doom and gloom. The UN report also notes progress made since the 2015 Paris Agreement was agreed, including “early signs of transformation and urgency” that could transform the fight against climate change. Of course, these green shoots of innovation are not enough – but they can provide evidence-based building blocks for a crucial next decade of climate action. (Editorial Board)