Greenhouse gas levels set records in 2025, U.N. says, expressing alarm

October 27, 2026 / 7:55 AM EDT / AFP

Geneva — Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere rose to record highs in 2025, locking in climate impacts that will persist for centuries, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

Levels of the three main greenhouse gases — the climate-warming carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide — all rose to unprecedented figures in 2025, the U.N.'s weather and climate agency said.

The World Meteorological Organization said the rise would lead to more long-term temperature increases for the planet.

The WMO's 22nd annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin comes ahead of the COP31 U.N. climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, from Nov. 9 to Nov. 20.

"Another year, another new record," said WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett.

"Greenhouse gases are trapping an unprecedented amount of heat in the atmosphere, providing energy for more extreme weather and associated risks to our economies and societies.

"The past 11 years have been the warmest on record and this trend is set to continue. Carbon dioxide (CO2) has a very long life-time and so will affect the global climate not just for years but for decades and even centuries."

The bulletin looks at greenhouse gas concentrations — the amount of…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/