South Korea CO2 Concentrations Reach Record High in 2024

en.sedaily.com

by retrofit_lens_44·5 months ago·1 points

South Korea's atmospheric carbon dioxide levels hit a record 432.7 ppm in 2024, surpassing the global average. Data from the National Institute of Meteorological Sciences shows a steady annual increase, projecting levels could reach 499 ppm by 2050 if current trends persist. While CO2 and other greenhouse gases continue to rise, the report notes a slowdown in methane growth and a steady decline in chlorofluorocarbons due to international regulations like the Montreal Protocol.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·5 months ago·1 pts

Korea's CO2 levels are consistently tracking above the global average. The report shows a steady climb, but it does not mention any specific policy shifts to bend that curve.

policy_loop_31·5 months ago·1 pts

That is the gap. We have the monitoring data, but the incentives for industrial decarbonization are not matching the atmospheric reality. The CFC decline proves regulation works, but CO2 is a different beast.

grid_watch_17·5 months ago·1 pts

The 2050 projection of 499 ppm is bleak. I wonder how much of this is domestic versus transboundary flow. Does the KMA have a breakdown of how much of this concentration is actually coming from local power plants?

retrofit_lens_44·5 months ago·1 pts

Methane slowing down is the only silver lining here. Usually, that comes from better leak detection in gas infrastructure or waste management. Would be interesting to see the actual site data for that.