New Delhi, March 24 -- Black carbon, a short-lived but highly potent climate pollutant, is responsible for nearly half of global warming to date, a new report has found. Scientists have warned that cutting black carbon emissions could be one of the fastest ways to slow climate change and mitigate extreme weather.

The study, released by the Clean Air Fund and backed by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), found that black carbon - commonly seen as soot - is responsible for nearly half of global warming to date and poses a serious threat to water security for billions of people.

The findings of the report were presented at events in Paris and New York as part of the first-ever World Day for Glaciers, hi...