CO2 levels surge to record high

Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere grew to a record level last year, according to a new report from the United Nations climate agency.

The World Meteorological Organisation’s latest greenhouse gas bulletin shows concentrations are now at their highest in 800,000 years and nearly 50 per cent higher than in pre-industrial times.

Levels of the climatewarming gas reached 403.3 parts per million in 2016, up from 400 parts per million in 2015.

Experts say human activities and the El Niño weather event were major drivers, but the abrupt changes risk international efforts to curb climate change.