Greenhouse gases
Introduction
Greenhouse gases are gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4) that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation. In the atmosphere, their interaction with infrared radiation ultimately leads to a warming of the atmosphere and surface.
Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases reflect a balance between emissions from human activities (such as the burning of fossil fuels), natural sources, and sinks in the biosphere and ocean. Increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activities have been the major driver of climate change since the mid-twentieth century. Global average mole fractions of greenhouse gases (as shown in the figures) are calculated from in situ observations made at multiple sites in the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Programme of WMO and partner networks.
The ocean is a sink for CO2. Some of the excess CO2 in the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean. CO2 reacts with seawater and lowers its pH. This process is known as ocean acidification.
What the IPCC says
A 1.1 Observed increases in well-mixed greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations since around 1750 are unequivocally caused by human activities. Since 2011 (measurements reported in AR5), concentrations have continued to increase in the atmosphere, reaching annual averages of 410 parts per million (ppm) for carbon dioxide (CO2), 1866 parts per billion (ppb) for methane (CH4), and 332 ppb for nitrous oxide (N2O) in 2019. Land and ocean have taken up a near-constant proportion (globally about 56% per year) of CO2 emissions from human activities over the past six decades, with regional differences (high confidence).
Key messages
Atmospheric concentration of methane
In 2024, greenhouse gas mole fractions reached new highs, with globally averaged surface mole fractions of carbon dioxide (CO2) at 423.9 ± 0.2 parts per million (ppm), methane (CH4) at 1942 ± 2 parts per billion (ppb) and nitrous oxide (N2O) at 338.0 ± 0.1 ppb, respectively 152%, 266% and 125% of pre-industrial (1750) levels.
Paragraph updated: 2025-12-16 09:53
Dataset and processing details
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most important greenhouse gases. The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is measured at stations around the world which are combined to provide a globally representative value.
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Carbon_dioxide_data_files.zip
Checksum: 659fe8aa4db6d3cbb945941039a382e3
Format: BADC CSV format
WDCGG
Original data file (external link)
Citation:
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
- Data set created from file ['co2_annual_20251016.csv'] downloaded from ['https://gaw.kishou.go.jp/static/publications/global_mean_mole_fractions/2025/co2_annual_20251016.csv'] at ['2025-10-17 10:10:39']
Methane
Methane (CH4) is an important greenhouse gas. The concentration of CH4 in the atmosphere is measured at stations around the world which are combined to provide a globally representative value.
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Methane_data_files.zip
Checksum: 49e219f13084cfc996ade139778abf68
Format: BADC CSV format
WDCGG
Original data file (external link)
Citation:
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
- Data set created from file ['ch4_annual_20251016.csv'] downloaded from ['https://gaw.kishou.go.jp/static/publications/global_mean_mole_fractions/2025/ch4_annual_20251016.csv'] at ['2025-10-17 10:10:27']
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important greenhouse gas. The concentration of N2O in the atmosphere is measured at stations around the world which are combined to provide a globally representative value.
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Nitrous_Oxide_data_files.zip
Checksum: 14c8fedd5063a3295b485e43f09c6b93
Format: BADC CSV format
WDCGG
Original data file (external link)
Citation:
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
- Data set created from file ['n2o_annual_20251016.csv'] downloaded from ['https://gaw.kishou.go.jp/static/publications/global_mean_mole_fractions/2025/n2o_annual_20251016.csv'] at ['2025-10-17 10:10:49']
Carbon dioxide growth rate
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Carbon_dioxide_growth_rate_data_files.zip
Checksum: 5d510c589657221df29fe4cf6a4e5760
Format: BADC CSV format
WDCGG
Original data file (external link)
Citation:
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
- Data set created from file ['co2_annual_20251016.csv'] downloaded from ['https://gaw.kishou.go.jp/static/publications/global_mean_mole_fractions/2025/co2_annual_20251016.csv'] at ['2025-10-17 10:10:44']
Methane growth rate
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Methane_growth_rate_data_files.zip
Checksum: 1d6219047014d666047b3ab9526473e9
Format: BADC CSV format
WDCGG
Original data file (external link)
Citation:
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
- Data set created from file ['ch4_annual_20251016.csv'] downloaded from ['https://gaw.kishou.go.jp/static/publications/global_mean_mole_fractions/2025/ch4_annual_20251016.csv'] at ['2025-10-17 10:10:34']
Nitrous oxide growth rate
The data in the above plot are available in a zip file containing a csv file for each data set.
Data file: Nitrous_oxide_growth_rate_data_files.zip
Checksum: 8931c6a0954e1e925368bcbc17ca8653
Format: BADC CSV format
WDCGG
Original data file (external link)
Citation:
To produce the plot, the following processing steps were performed:
- Data set created from file ['n2o_annual_20251016.csv'] downloaded from ['https://gaw.kishou.go.jp/static/publications/global_mean_mole_fractions/2025/n2o_annual_20251016.csv'] at ['2025-10-17 10:10:54']
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