World Meteorological Organization: Atmospheric Carbon Reached Record Levels in 2025
Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration reached a record high of 426.8 parts per million in 2025, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported in its annual greenhouse gas bulletin on Tuesday that atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations reached a new record high of 426.8 parts per million last year.
The concentration increased by 2.8 parts per million between 2024 and 2025. According to a report from the UN body responsible for atmospheric sciences, the overall level is equivalent to 153% of the pre-industrial carbon dioxide concentration that existed before the start of the industrial era in 1750.
WMO Deputy Secretary-General Colette Barrett stated, “A new year, a new record.” Barrett explained that greenhouse gases are trapping an unprecedented amount of heat, providing the energy necessary for extreme weather events and other hazards.
This increase was slightly slower than the rise recorded between 2023 and 2024, a period marked by a strong El Niño event. Among other impacts, the climate phenomenon contributed to an increase in wildfires, leading to higher emissions.
El Niño occurs every few years, and this climate phenomenon has begun again this year. For this reason, among others, the WMO expects carbon dioxide levels to rise further in 2026.
Oksana Tarasova, a scientist at the WMO, noted that fossil fuel combustion also contributes to this increase. At the same time, there is a growing risk that oceans will become less capable of absorbing carbon dioxide.
According to the report, carbon dioxide accounts for 66% of the greenhouse effect caused by gases. Methane accounts for 16%, emitted from sources including agriculture, fossil fuel extraction, and landfills.
