New research by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has found that the annual increase of methane and carbon dioxide in 2021 hit the highest level recorded in the last 39 years.
During 2021, atmospheric methane levels averaged 1,895.7 parts per billion (ppb), this is around 162% greater than pre-industrial levels. Carbon dioxide levels also continued to increase at historically high rates with estimated global surface average for CO2 estimated to be 414.7 parts per million (ppm) in 2021, and increase of 2.66ppm from 2020.
This is the tenth consecutive year that carbon dioxide increased by more than two parts per million, and represents the fastest sustained rate of increase in the 63 years since monitoring began.
NOAA Administrator, Rick Spinrad, commented: "Our data shows that global emissions continue to move in the wrong direction at a rapid pace. The evidence is consistent, alarming and undeniable. We need to build a Climate Ready Nation to adapt to what’s already here and prepare for what’s to come."
"At the same time, we can no longer afford to delay urgent and effective action needed to address the cause of the problem — greenhouse gas pollution."
In the UK, government analysis showed that the UK's greenhouse gas emissions rose by 4.7% in 2021, with the rise being attributed to increased road transport post lockdown.
424 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents were emitted in the UK in 2021, which is a 5.2% reduction based on 2019 figures. However emissions from power stations increased by 9.2% with higher energy demands and fossil fuel electricity generation rose for the first time since 2012.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) commented: "This increase in 2021 is primarily due to the increase in the use of road transport as nationwide lockdowns were eased, along with increases in emissions from power stations and the residential sector."
