EXPERTS are warning that climate change is causing severe health problems across the world.

The warning comes as new data shows key climate targets are likely to be missed.

A new report published today by The Lancet, warns that the world’s reliance on fossil fuels is increasing the risk of food insecurity, infectious diseases and heat-related illnesses.

The report was led by University College London and included the World Health Organisation and 98 other experts from across the globe.

The research shows how extreme weather incidents have piled the pressure on often already creaking health services across the world.

It says heat-related deaths have increased by two thirds while temperature records have been smashed across the world.

But the report says: “Despite the challenges, there is clear evidence that immediate action could still save the lives of millions, with a rapid shift to clean energy and energy efficiency.”

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said: “Human health, livelihoods, household budgets and national economies are being pummelled, as the fossil fuel addiction spirals out of control.”

The findings come as the world prepares for the critical Cop27 climate change conference in Egypt next month.

But key pledges to limit global warming look set to be missed.

The UN said today that the world is on course to reach a dangerous 2.5°C of warming.

This is far higher than the widely accepted 1.5°C limit the world needs to stick to if it is to avoid extreme flooding, drought, crop failures and significant loss of life.

Scientists agree emissions must fall by at least 45 per cent by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

UN climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell said: “To put it bluntly, countries’ climate action plans as they currently stand simply aren’t good enough.

“Humanity cannot accept that.”