The World Meteorological Organization warned of long-term climate effects from record 2025 greenhouse gas levels
WMO said concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide reached record highs in 2025, locking in further warming for decades and centuries. Carbon dioxide averaged 426.8 parts per million. WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett said the gases trap unprecedented heat, adding energy for extreme weather. Anadolu Agency reported sulfur hexafluoride’s largest annual increase. The report preceded COP31.
More context
In its latest bulletin, the World Meteorological Organization warned that 2025’s atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide committed the planet to climate effects lasting centuries. Its annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin put globally averaged carbon dioxide at 426.8 parts per million, methane at 1,948 parts per billion and nitrous oxide at 339.1 parts per billion. Those readings were 153%, 267% and 126% of pre-industrial levels. The bulletin measures atmospheric concentrations—the gases present in the air—not new emissions released each year. Anadolu Agency reported that sulfur hexafluoride had its largest annual increase in 2025. WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett said greenhouse gases trap an unprecedented amount of heat, providing energy for more extreme weather and associated risks. The report came ahead of COP31, scheduled for Nov. 9 to 20 in Antalya, Türkiye.
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Reporting
- Anadolu Agency — Greenhouse gas levels hit record highs in 2025, driving further global warming: WMO
- South China Morning Post — Greenhouse gas levels hit record highs, climate impact will last centuries: UN | South China Morning Post
- Türkiye Today — Greenhouse gases hit new record high in 2025 - Türkiye Today
- Reuters — Greenhouse gases hit record highs, further rise expected with El Niño, UN weather agency says
- Phys.org — Greenhouse gases hit record highs, yet again
- bgnes.com — UN: Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Hit Record Highs in 2025 | BGNES
- newscientist.com — Major greenhouse gases rise again to record levels | New Scientist
Verifier’s note
Anadolu Agency, South China Morning Post, BGNES, Türkiye Today, Reuters, Phys.org, and New Scientist all report that the WMO said greenhouse gas concentrations reached record highs in 2025. South China Morning Post identifies its report as AFP, and the matching coverage at BGNES and Türkiye Today—and apparently Phys.org—is derivative rather than separate reporting.