Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Reach Record Levels as COP26 Summit Approaches

Strategic Insights -

Rising greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere have reached record levels, according to the United Nations, as the world prepares for the COP26 summit in Glasgow. The UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that continued emissions will lead to more extreme weather and significant impacts on the environment, economy, and humanity. The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed concerns about the summit's potential to be unsuccessful, while Australia has set a 2050 target for net zero emissions but dismissed any upgrade to its 2030 goals.

Key Takeaways:

  • Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reached record levels last year, according to the UN's World Meteorological Organization.
  • The WMO's Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reported an annual rate of increase in greenhouse gas emissions above the yearly average between 2011 and 2020.
  • The WMO warned that continued emissions will result in more extreme weather and significant impacts on the environment, economy, and humanity.
  • The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed concerns about the potential for the COP26 summit to be unsuccessful.
  • Australia has set a 2050 target for net zero emissions but dismissed any upgrade to its 2030 goals.
  • The Southeast part of the Amazon rainforest, once a carbon sink, has now become a source of carbon emissions due to deforestation.
  • CO2 concentrations reached 413.2 parts per million in 2020, up 2.5 ppm, and is at 149% of the pre-industrial level in 1750.
  • Methane averages reached a new high of 1,889 parts per billion in 2020, up 11 ppb on the year before, and is at 262% of the pre-industrial benchmark.
  • Nitrous oxide averages reached 333.2 ppb, up 1.2 ppb, and is now at 123% of 1750 levels.
  • Euan Nisbet, from the University of London's Greenhouse Gas Group, compared the greenhouse gas measurements to "skidding into a car crash".
  • Dave Reay, director of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, described the report as an "epic fail" in terms of COP achievements.

Statistics:

  • CO2 concentrations reached 413.2 parts per million in 2020, up 2.5 ppm from 2019.
  • Methane averages reached a new high of 1,889 parts per billion in 2020, up 11 ppb from 2019.
  • Nitrous oxide averages reached 333.2 ppb, up 1.2 ppb from 2019.
  • The annual rate of increase in greenhouse gas emissions was above the yearly average between 2011 and 2020.
  • The pre-industrial level of CO2 concentrations was 280 parts per million in 1750.
  • The current level of CO2 concentrations is 149% of the pre-industrial level.
  • The Southeast part of the Amazon rainforest has become a source of carbon emissions due to deforestation.

Sources:

  • United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
  • UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
  • Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison
  • Euan Nisbet, University of London's Greenhouse Gas Group
  • Dave Reay, Edinburgh Climate Change Institute
  • Organization for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD)
  • AFP