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Climate-heating gases reach record highs

The abundance of climate-heating gases in the atmosphere reached record highs in 2022, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported.

The WMO said “there is no end in sight to the rising trend”, which is largely driven by the burning of fossil fuels. The concentration of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, is now 50% higher than before the start of the Industrial Revolution.

The Earth has not experienced similar levels of CO2 for 3-5 million years, when the global temperature was 2-3°C warmer and sea level was 10-20 metres higher than today, the WMO said.

The WMO report found that the heating effect of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere rose by 50% between 1990 and 2022, with CO2 accounting for about 80% of this increase.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with the human sources being the fossil fuel industry, cattle and waste dumps. Levels of methane rose again in 2022 and scientists are concerned that a recent acceleration of methane emissions may be driven by the effect of global heating on wetlands, producing a potential feedback effect.

The increase in nitrous oxide levels in 2022 was the highest ever recorded. This greenhouse gas is produced by overuse of fertilisers, crop waste burning and industry.

Source:
The Guardian 15 November 2023 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/15/climate-heating-gase... record-highs-un-reports
WMO, 15 November 2023 https://wmo.int/publication-series/wmo-greenhouse-gas-bulletin-no-19

In this issue

The economic benefits of a food system transition

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Editorial: In the debris of Farm to Fork

Last autumn, a cold shower came from the EU Commission. Nothing would be done to fulfil a range of remaining commitments from Farm to Fork.

Proper accounting in agriculture

As concerns about the impact of industrial farming grow, a visionary company in southern Germany has developed a tool to recognise and incentivise sustainable practices.

Solutions for upgrading electricity grids in Central Eastern Europe

The integration of renewable sources into electricity grids is reshaping the way many nations approach sustainability. But Central Eastern European (CEE) countries are grappling with regulatory obstacles, technical challenges, and a lingering reliance on fossil fuels. A new report by CAN Europe presents a roadmap to overcome these barriers.

Ten measures to improve electricity grids in Central Eastern Europe

Action needs to go beyond the usual technological solutions, countries must consider not just kilowatts and power lines, but also include the social dimensions of energy transition.

US EPA unveils stricter standards for air quality

The US air quality standard for fine particlulate matter is reduced from 12 to 9 μg/m³. This is projected to yield substantial net health benefits, amounting to up to $46 billion by 2032.

Evaluating India's billion dollar battle against air pollution

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Gothenburg Protocol ready for an update

The Air Convention Parties have committed to a revision of the Gothenburg Protocol. A recent review report pointed out that despite reductions in emissions, existing measures fall short in safeguarding human health, ecosystems, crop yields, and the climate.

Clean air for all or will the poor have to wait?

A group of health scientists has recently published a scientific commentary which shows the significant consequences that postponing deadlines to achieve new EU air quality objectives would have for Europeans’ health.

Renewable heating in rental housing

High upfront costs, limited financing options, and a lack of awareness among landlords and tenants are some of the barriers for renewable heating adoption in the rental sector. In a recent briefing CAN Europe proposes solutions to facilitate the transition.

The Kyoto Protocol was not a failure

Overall, the countries that participated in the Second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol have overachieved their collective target and achieved an overall emission reduction of 28% in 2020 (compared to 1990 emissions).

Lessons learned from Europe’s fossil fuel energy crisis

Europe is at a pivotal moment to transition to a fossil-free energy future, and decisive actions, including policy-level commitments, are crucial to achieving this goal.

Forests – still a neglected issue in climate negotiations

The protection of forests did not figure high on the UN climate convention’s COP28 agenda last December and it really seems negotiators are waiting for Brazil’s COP30 in 2025.

A turning point for oceans in climate action

The COP28 not only stressed the crucial role of oceans in combating climate change but also laid the ground for enhanced integration of ocean action in UNFCCC processes.

Nuclear power is proven uneconomic in the real world

At COP in Dubai some countries imagined nuclear power to be part of the solution. Real world experience shows it is too expensive to contribute

Main menu

Climate-heating gases reach record highs

In this issue

The economic benefits of a food system transition

Editorial: In the debris of Farm to Fork

Proper accounting in agriculture

Solutions for upgrading electricity grids in Central Eastern Europe

Ten measures to improve electricity grids in Central Eastern Europe

US EPA unveils stricter standards for air quality

Evaluating India's billion dollar battle against air pollution

Gothenburg Protocol ready for an update

Clean air for all or will the poor have to wait?

Renewable heating in rental housing

The Kyoto Protocol was not a failure

Lessons learned from Europe’s fossil fuel energy crisis

Forests – still a neglected issue in climate negotiations

A turning point for oceans in climate action

Nuclear power is proven uneconomic in the real world

Publications

Food for Thought

Northern forests, climate change and the UNFCCC

EU climate targets aligned with the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C objective

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Collaborative-Learning project

Air pollution in Europe and children’s health

Climate Change: A Himalayan Odessey

No further discussion needed. The agreed global goal is to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C

Fossil-free electricity 2021

What we do

Air pollution

Climate Change

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