Record leap in CO2 fuels fears of accelerating global heating

Rising CO2 emissions will impact the planet for hundreds of years because of the gas’s long lifetime in the atmosphere. Photograph: Charlie Riedel/AP

Levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere soared by a record amount in 2024 to hit another high, UN data shows, deepening the climate crisis that is already taking lives and livelihoods across the world.

Scientists are worried that the natural land and ocean “sinks” that remove CO₂ from the air are weakening as a result of global heating, which could form a vicious circle and drive temperatures up even faster.