Climate: New Record of Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Recorded

Global carbon dioxide emissions reach a new peak in 2023

Céleste Saulo

According to UN experts, the concentration of greenhouse gases in our planet’s atmosphere set a grim new record last year. The situation should be a “wake-up call” for all world leaders, said World Meteorological Organization (WMO) secretary general Celeste Saulo (pictured).

According to the new edition of the WMO Greenhouse Gas Report, launched on Monday, October 28, in Geneva, Switzerland, “the average surface concentration of CO2 reached 420 parts per million (ppm).” This is due to fires that have reduced the ability of forests to absorb this gas and the increased use of hydrocarbons, i.e. non-renewable energy sources.

In addition to CO2, the concentration of methane also rose to 1934 parts per billion, and the concentration of nitrous oxide reached over 335 parts per billion. Compared to the pre-industrial period, the WMO chief said, these three indicators have increased by 150 percent, 260 percent, and 125 percent respectively.