Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 15, 2025 Climate and environment
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere rose at a record pace in 2024, reaching new highs. This has intensified long-term trends of global warming and extreme weather events, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The rise in CO₂ levels has been driven by continued human emissions, increased wildfires, and the declining ability of land and oceans to absorb carbon dioxide. This phenomenon could trigger a new dangerous climate cycle, experts warn.
Growth three times faster than in the 1960s
According to the new edition of the WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, the rate of increase in CO₂ concentrations is three times higher than in the 1960s: while the average annual increase was about 0.8 ppm then, it increased to 2.4 ppm per year between 2011 and 2020.
Moreover, between 2023 and 2024, the increase was a record 3.5 million parts per million – the highest figure since observations began in 1957.
The average concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere reached 423.9 ppm, compared to 377.1 ppm in 2004, when the first WMO bulletin was published.
Approximately half of all CO₂ emissions remain in the atmosphere, with the rest absorbed by land and oceans. However, this natural carbon dioxide "storage" is diminishing as the climate warms, the solubility of carbon dioxide in the oceans decreases, and droughts become more frequent.
"There are concerns that the ability of land and oceans to absorb CO₂ is declining, leading to accelerated global warming. Therefore, it is necessary to continually strengthen greenhouse gas monitoring to understand how these feedbacks are formed," noted WMO Senior Scientist Oksana Tarasova.
Record levels of other greenhouse gases
Other long-lived greenhouse gases, methane and nitrous oxide, also set new highs.
Methane levels reached 1,942 ppb, 166 percent above pre-industrial levels, and nitrous oxide levels reached 338 ppb, 25 percent above previous levels.
"The heat trapped by CO₂ and other greenhouse gases amplifies the impact on our climate and leads to more extreme weather. Therefore, reducing emissions is important not only for our climate, but also for our economic security and the well-being of societies," emphasized WMO Deputy Secretary-General Co Barrett.
Monitoring and Action
The WMO report was published ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will take place in November in Belém, Brazil. The organization calls for stronger global monitoring of greenhouse gases to inform effective climate action.
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