The United Nations has sounded an urgent alarm after revealing that carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere surged by a record amount in 2024. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the increase from 2023 to 2024 was the largest one-year jump since modern measurements began in 1957.
The WMO’s 21st annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reported that the concentrations of the three primary greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide all reached new record highs last year. In 2024, CO₂ levels hit 424 parts per million (ppm), methane reached 1,942 parts per billion, and nitrous oxide stood at 338 parts per billion. These figures represent increases of 152%, 266%, and 125% respectively compared to pre-industrial levels before 1750.
The UN agency expressed deep concern that the Earth’s land and oceans traditionally natural carbon sinks are losing their ability to absorb CO₂, allowing more of the gas to remain in the atmosphere and intensify global warming.
“The heat trapped by CO₂ and other greenhouse gases is turbo-charging our climate and leading to more extreme weather,” said WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett. “Reducing emissions is therefore essential not just for our climate but also for our economic security and community well-being.”
The findings come just weeks before the COP30 climate summit set for November 10–21 in Belem, Brazil, where global leaders are expected to renew commitments to cut emissions and uphold the 2015 Paris Agreement targets to limit warming to below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.
The WMO also confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year on record, surpassing 2023. The continued rise in greenhouse gas concentrations underscores a dangerous trend that threatens both environmental stability and global economies, unless immediate and sustained action is taken.
