On behalf more than 100 contributing scientists worldwide, we proudly announce the release of 2020 version of the Surface Ocean CO₂ Atlas (SOCAT, www.socat.info) which is a synthesis activity with annual public releases prepared by international marine carbon scientists. SOCAT version 2020 contains 28.2 million in situ surface ocean fCO₂ (fugacity of CO₂) measurements for the global ocean and coastal seas with an accuracy < 5 μatm, while a further 2.3 million fCO₂ values with an accuracy of 5 to 10 μatm are made available separately. SOCAT documents the increase in surface ocean CO₂ (carbon dioxide), a critical measure as the oceans are taking up one quarter of the global CO₂ emissions from human activity.

The SOCAT community-led synthesis product is a key step in the value chain based on in situ inorganic carbon measurements of the oceans, which provides policy makers with essential information on ocean CO₂ uptake in climate negotiations. The global need for accurate knowledge of ocean CO₂ uptake and its variation makes sustained funding for in situ surface ocean CO₂ observations imperative. The annual SOCAT release is a Voluntary Commitment for SDG 14.3 (#OceanAction20464) and contributes to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The poster handout has further details on 2020 version key features, findings and other information, including timeline for preparing the 2021 version.