Atmospheric methane barely grew for seven years. The pause ended
In 1999–2006, concentration stayed between 1,771 and 1,777 parts per billion. In 2025: 1,936, 9% above 2006. The latest estimate is preliminary.
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A long near-flat stretch does not guarantee that growth is over. NOAA independently describes methane stabilization in 1999–2006 and renewed growth from 2007.
The shaded interval is 1999–2006. The line is annual global dry-air concentration, in parts per billion. The vertical scale starts above zero to show the change.
- Methane: globally averaged concentration ppb
1999: 1,772.3
- Methane: globally averaged concentration ppb
2006: 1,774.93
- Methane: globally averaged concentration ppb
2025: 1,935.94
- Independent check of the interval
NOAA: 1999–2006 / 2007
Minimum and maximum of eight annual means, 1999–2006: 1,771.29 and 1,777.33 ppb; range 6.04 ppb. Then 2006 → 2025 change = (end / start − 1) × 100 = 9.07%. The pause was found by screening and checked against NOAA's description; this is descriptive.
Concentration is an atmospheric stock, not annual emissions. A flat level does not mean zero emissions: both inputs and removal matter. This chart does not identify the cause of the pause. NOAA GML, Lan/Thoning and colleagues; marine surface reference network. 2025 is preliminary; uncertainties remain in the detailed dataset.
A question for this picture
Which changed more: methane inputs or its removal rate?