Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere hit new record highs in 2022, with no end in sight to the rising trend, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Levels of the three main greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide - all broke records last year, according to WMO's Greenhouse Gas Bulletin.

The global average concentrations of carbon dioxide, the single most important greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, in 2022 were a full 50 percent above the pre-industrial era for the first time and continued to grow in 2023, according to the report.

"The current level of greenhouse gas concentrations puts us on the pathway of an increase in temperatures well above the Paris Agreement targets by the end of this century. This will be accompanied by more extreme weather, including intense heat and rainfall, ice melt, sea-level rise and ocean heat and acidification. The socioeconomic and environmental costs will soar. We must reduce the consumption of fossil fuels as a matter of urgency," said WMO Secretary-General, Prof. Petteri Taalas.