Europe heatwave live: UK issues rare red temperature warnings; French PM to hold crisis meeting after heat deaths

London is “cooking”, according to the head of the United Nations.

The UN secretary general, António Guterres, referenced Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities in a major address at London Climate Action Week as the capital swelters in a severe heatwave.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Guterres said: “Crisis brings clarity and here in London – the city of Dickens – it is clear that our world is facing a ‘tale of two crises’.

“A climate crisis is pushing us deeper towards higher temperatures and closer to catastrophic tipping points and an energy crisis is exposing the folly of a world hooked on hydrocarbons.

“On the surface, these crises may seem separate, but they share the same destructive origin: fossil fuels.”

“London isn’t just calling. It’s cooking,” the UN chief added.