Greenhouse gases hit record high

October 26, 2021 - Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere rose to record levels in 2020 despite a decrease in new emissions due to the pandemic, jeopardizing the effort to cap rising temperatures.

Related Graphics

View More

World’s largest iceberg breaks free after 30 years

Amazon deforestation down by a third in 2023

Destruction of world’s pristine rainforests soared in 2022

India, Pakistan brace for powerful cyclone

Climate change threat to Venice

Antarctica’s doomsday glacier melting fast

Antarctic iceberg the size of London

Guide to COP27 conference in Egypt

Trapped in “hunger hotspots”

Developed countries urged to honour $100bn pledge

Emblem for the COP27 conference in Egypt

Wildfire threatens world’s largest trees

Climate’s $100-billion broken promise

COP26 coal deal takes aim at dirtiest fossil fuel

Carbon emissions show rapid rebound after Covid dip

Over 100 countries pledge to cut methane emissions

More than 100 nations pledge to end deforestation

Climate scientists expect to see catastrophic changes

Renewables power past coal

Global struggle to curb emissions

Summer of fire and floods

Glasgow locks down for world leaders’ climate summit

The carbon cost of cement

China’s monumental coal-fired power plant drive

COP26 – Quest for net zero emissions by 2050

EV sales to account for third of market by end of decade

Five billion could struggle to access water in 2050: UN

Europe faces an energy crisis

Projected global emissions linked to temperature rise

Tracking how our land and oceans have become hotter

The concentration of carbon dioxide, which accounts for around 66% of the heating effect of greenhouse gases, reached 413.2 parts per million in 2020, 149% of the pre-industrial level. Despite the economic slowdown and reduced industrial activity caused by COVID-19, there was no discernible impact on the atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases and their growth rates, although there was a decline in new emissions.