In 2023, the average CO2 concentration reached 420 parts per million (ppm), equivalent to a 151% increase compared to pre-industrial levels.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced on October 28 that greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reached a new record high in 2023, making it increasingly difficult to achieve the goal of limiting global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times without urgent action.
In its annual report on greenhouse gas emissions, the WMO specifically noted that the levels of three greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), continued to accumulate at unprecedented levels in 2023.
The burning of fossil fuels increases greenhouse gas pollution – (Photo: AFP).
Among these, CO2 is accumulating in the atmosphere faster than ever, with an increase of over 10% in the past two decades. In 2023, the average CO2 concentration was 420 ppm, which is a 151% increase compared to pre-industrial times (before 1750).
Meanwhile, the concentration of CH4 stood at 1,934 ppb, which is a 265% increase since the pre-industrial era. For N2O, the concentration reached 336 ppb, marking a 125% increase from pre-industrial levels.
This report was released ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) scheduled for November in Baku, Azerbaijan.
WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett warned that the world is facing a “vicious cycle” as climate change could soon cause ecosystems to become sources of greenhouse gas emissions at levels greater than before.
Wildfires can release more CO2 into the atmosphere, while warmer oceans may absorb less CO2. Consequently, an increasing amount of CO2 could accumulate in the atmosphere, further accelerating global warming.
Meanwhile, national commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are still not strong enough to meet the current goal of limiting global warming.
