What is the current co2 concentration in the atmosphere

  • Energy & Environment
  • Emissions

Global atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide 1959-2021

The atmospheric level of carbon dioxide has been steadily rising since the 1960's. In 2021, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels reached a high of 416.45 parts per million, in comparison to 1960 levels which stood at about 316.91 parts per million. Carbon dioxide emissions largely come from human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, and are a primary driver of climate change.

Historic average carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere worldwide from 1959 to 2021 (in parts per million)*

CharacteristicConcentration in parts per million
2021 416.45
2020 414.24
2019 411.66
2018 408.72
2017 406.76
2016 404.41
2015 401.01
2014 398.87
2013 396.74
2012 394.06
2011 391.85
2010 390.1
2009 387.64
2008 385.83
2007 384.02
2006 382.09
2005 379.98
2004 377.7
2003 375.98
2002 373.45
2001 371.32
2000 369.71
1999 368.54
1998 366.84
1997 363.88
1996 362.74
1995 360.97
1994 358.96
1993 357.21
1992 356.54
1991 355.7
1990 354.45
1989 353.2
1988 351.69
1987 349.31
1986 347.61
1985 346.35
1984 344.85
1983 343.15
1982 341.48
1981 340.12
1980 338.76
1979 336.84
1978 335.41
1977 333.84
1976 332.03
1975 331.12
1974 330.19
1973 329.68
1972 327.46
1971 326.32
1970 325.68
1969 324.62
1968 323.05
1967 322.18
1966 321.37
1965 320.04
1964 319.62
1963 318.99
1962 318.45
1961 317.64
1960 316.91
1959 315.98

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Source

More information

Survey time period

1959 to 2021

Supplementary notes

Data from March 1958 through April 1974 have been obtained by C. David Keeling.
CO2 expressed as a mole fraction in dry air, micromol/mol, abbreviated as ppm. Data has been measured at Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii as it constitutes the longest record of direct carbon dioxide measurements in the atmosphere.

Select Mauna Loa CO2 annual mean data to access data.

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What is current atmospheric CO2 concentration?

414.30 ppm This table presents the most up-to-date, daily average reading for atmospheric CO2 on the planet. Units = parts per million (ppm).

What is the current concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere 2022?

[+] Carbon dioxide measured at NOAA's Mauna Loa Atmospheric Baseline Observatory peaked for 2022 at 420.99 parts per million in May, an increase of 1.8 parts per million over 2021, pushing the atmosphere further into territory not seen for millions of years.

How much CO2 carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere today?

Based on analysis from NOAA's Global Monitoring Lab, global average atmospheric carbon dioxide was 414.72 parts per million (“ppm” for short) in 2021, setting a new record high despite the continued economic drag from the COVID-19 pandemic.