Chapter 2: Atmosphere

This chapter from the GEO-5 report analyzes the state of the global atmosphere, highlighting that while ozone depletion and lead in petrol have been successfully addressed, climate change remains the most critical issue. Greenhouse gas concentrations are currently on track to exceed the 2°C warming limit, with a significant gap remaining between emission pledges and necessary targets. The report notes mixed progress in air quality, with high particulate matter levels persisting in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and advocates for an integrated policy approach to address climate change, air quality, and ozone depletion simultaneously.

• Significant progress has been made in atmospheric protection through the phase-out of lead in petrol and ozone-depleting substances, showing that agreement among major stakeholders can lead to success using cost-effective solutions.
• Progress on reducing particulate matter (PM) and tropospheric ozone is inconsistent. While much of the developed world has brought sulphur, nitrogen compounds, and PM levels close to World Health Organization guidelines, levels of PM in many cities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America remain far above these guidelines.
• Climate change is identified as the most critical atmospheric issue. Greenhouse gas concentrations are increasing at rates likely to exceed the internationally agreed limit of 2°C above pre-industrial average temperatures, and a gap of several billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent exists between current emission pledges and the levels required to meet targets.
• Addressing short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs), including methane, black carbon, and tropospheric ozone, can rapidly reduce the rate of temperature increase and provide health and food security benefits, though this must complement reductions in anthropogenic CO2 emissions to stay below the 2°C limit.
• Governments currently fail to address climate change, air quality, and stratospheric ozone depletion in an integrated manner, despite the potential for an integrated approach to maximize benefits and support economic development.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2012). Chapter 2: Atmosphere. https://www.sei.org/publications/geo-5-chapter-2-atmosphere/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Chapter 2: Atmosphere. 2012. https://www.sei.org/publications/geo-5-chapter-2-atmosphere/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Chapter 2: Atmosphere |date=6 June 2012 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/geo-5-chapter-2-atmosphere/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2012chapter, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Chapter 2: Atmosphere}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2012}, month = jun, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/geo-5-chapter-2-atmosphere/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }