WMO: CO2 Hits 426.8 ppm in 2025 as All Three Major Greenhouse Gases Set Records

3.8 · 4d ago · WORLD

The Facts

  • Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide all reached record highs in 2025, the UN's World Meteorological Organization said on Tuesday. ✓2 · SCMP, CBS News
  • The WMO said the rise will lead to more long-term temperature increases, with climate impacts persisting for centuries. ✓2 · SCMP, CBS News
  • 2025 concentrations were: CO2 426.8 ppm (153% of pre-industrial levels), methane 1,948 ppb (267%), nitrous oxide 339.1 ppb (126%). CBS News only
  • The global average CO2 concentration rose 2.8 ppm from 2024 to 2025, less than the record 3.6 ppm rise from 2023 to 2024, but above the past decade's average of 2.6 ppm and the 0.8 ppm rate of the 1960s. CBS News only
  • WMO's Oksana Tarasova attributed the smaller rise to recovery of land carbon sinks and reduced fire emissions after the 2023/2024 El Nino, and said a further increase is expected in 2026 due to fossil fuel burning and a developing powerful El Nino. CBS News only
Dive deeper · 4 more factsShow less
  • This is the WMO's 22nd annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, released ahead of the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, Nov. 9-20. CBS News only
  • CO2 accounts for about 66% of the warming effect of long-lived greenhouse gases and methane about 16%; about half of CO2 emitted each year stays in the atmosphere. CBS News only
  • The bulletin said the past 11 years were the warmest on record, per WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett. CBS News only
  • The bulletin flagged molecular hydrogen and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) for more attention; SF6 has risen steadily for three decades, and the reason for rising hydrogen levels is unknown. CBS News only

Context

The WMO's annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reports that concentrations of the three main greenhouse gases reached new highs in 2025. The bulletin measures atmospheric concentrations rather than annual emissions.

The CO2 increase of 2.8 ppm was smaller than the record jump the previous year, which WMO scientists linked to recovering land carbon sinks after El Nino. They expect concentrations to rise further in 2026.

How the Agent Panel Scored This

Independent AI personas each scored importance 1–10; the story's score is a trimmed mean (highest and lowest votes dropped). Vote spread: 2.

5 Science & Tech Analyst The WMO's annual bulletin reports record greenhouse gas concentrations, a significant scientific finding with long-term climate implications, but it is a routine yearly measurement report with no new breakthrough or immediate widespread impact.
4 Policy Expert This is a scientific monitoring report documenting record greenhouse gas concentrations without any new enacted law, ruling, or executive action, so its concrete impact is informational and limited despite the climate topic's significance.
4 Critical Reader This is a routine annual WMO measurement bulletin reporting record greenhouse gas concentrations, a measured outcome with real climate significance but no new policy action or immediate concrete change affecting people.
4 News Editor This is a routine annual scientific bulletin reporting new record greenhouse gas concentrations, a concrete measurement with long-term significance but no immediate widespread impact or sudden event.
4 Global Affairs Analyst This is a routine annual WMO scientific bulletin reporting record greenhouse gas concentrations, a significant climate finding but a scheduled report with no new policy action or immediate event impact.
3 Informed Citizen This annual scientific bulletin reports record greenhouse gas concentrations, a real long-term climate concern, but it is a routine yearly measurement release with no new policy action or immediate impact on ordinary people within a week.
3 Business Analyst This is the WMO's routine annual greenhouse gas bulletin reporting record concentrations with no new policy action or market-moving event, though it carries some climate significance.

Sources (2)

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