We are thrilled to announce the release of Surface Ocean CO₂ Atlas (SOCAT) version 2024 which is now available on SOCAT website. Since 2017 there has been a reduction in surface ocean CO₂ observations that is impacting our ability to quantify the ocean's role as a major sink for CO₂ emissions. The latest update of the community-led Surface Ocean CO₂ Atlas, version 2024, has delivered 38.6 million, quality-controlled, in situ surface ocean fCO2 (fugacity of CO2) measurements collected between 1957 and 2023 with an estimated accuracy of < 5 μatm.

We would like to Congratulate and Thank the whole SOCAT team as well as all data providers for their enormous continuous efforts related to annual releases of the product!

SOCAT fCO₂ measurements are key for quantification of ocean CO₂ uptake at regional and monthly scales, providing vital information for climate policy. However, in addition to the decline in observations, the integration, quality control and accessibility of data products by SOCAT is at risk from persistent funding shortfalls, with SOCAT now relying on a single regional hub. At a time where the importance of constraining ocean CO₂ uptake is well recognized by the WMO Global Greenhouse Gas Watch and the UNFCCC Global Stocktake, there is an urgent need for sustained and expanded funding of accurate surface ocean CO₂ observations and their synthesis.

 
For more information please see the SOCATv2024 release poster and visit www.socat.info