Greenhouse gas concentrations surge again to new record in 2023 – World Meteorological Organization WMO

Sustainable Development Goals and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Introduction

The WMO’s annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin for 2023 highlights the significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO₂, and emphasizes the urgent need to address these issues in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Findings

1. The globally-averaged surface concentration of CO₂ reached 420.0 parts per million (ppm), methane 1 934 parts per billion, and nitrous oxide 336.9 parts per billion (ppb) in 2023.
2. These values are 151%, 265%, and 125% of pre-industrial (before 1750) levels.
3. The increase in CO₂ in the atmosphere in 2023 was higher than that of 2022, marking the 12th consecutive year with an increase greater than 2 ppm.

Implications for the Paris Agreement

The continuous rise in greenhouse gas emissions puts the world off track to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. These statistics have real impacts on our lives and the planet, and should serve as a wake-up call for decision makers.

Long-Term Trends

• The CO₂ level has increased by 11.4% (42.9 ppm) since 2004.
• From 1990 to 2023, radiative forcing by long-lived greenhouse gases increased by 51.5%, with CO₂ accounting for about 81% of this increase.

Climate Feedbacks and Concerns

The Bulletin warns of potential climate feedbacks, where climate change itself could cause ecosystems to become larger sources of greenhouse gases. Factors such as wildfires and a warmer ocean could release more carbon emissions into the atmosphere and reduce CO₂ absorption, leading to accelerated global warming. These feedbacks are critical concerns for human society.

Implications for Sustainable Development

As long as emissions continue, greenhouse gases will continue to accumulate in the atmosphere, resulting in a rise in global temperatures. Even if emissions are rapidly reduced to net zero, the effects of CO₂ will persist for several decades due to its long lifespan in the atmosphere. This highlights the need for urgent action to address greenhouse gas emissions and achieve the SDGs.

Conclusion

The current concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere has not been seen for millions of years, with significant implications for temperature and sea level rise. It is crucial for decision makers and stakeholders to prioritize sustainable development and take immediate action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
   • Target 13.4: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible.
   • Target 13.5: Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth, and local and marginalized communities.

   The article discusses the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO₂, and the potential consequences of climate change. It highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for action to limit global warming. The targets mentioned above are relevant to the issues discussed in the article.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

   The article mentions the reduction in carbon absorption by forests and the potential impact of wildfires on carbon emissions. These issues are relevant to SDG 15, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, including forests and land management.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wmo.int