Based on the measurement station data collected last year regarding CO₂, a selection was made of the most complete and high-quality series, considering geographical location as well. An analysis was performed on these series to identify representative measurements of the atmospheric background. The BaDS (Background Data Selection) criterion, developed in previous years of System Research, was used for this purpose, adapting it to apply uniformly across all the stations under review.

The results are satisfactory, as background data were reliably selected at all stations. Based on this data, growth rates were calculated and found to be consistent, reflecting the systematic increase in CO₂ concentration. This greenhouse gas plays a major role in global warming and resulting climate changes, including extreme weather events, and is predominantly emitted by anthropogenic activities in the energy sector.

Spatial distribution and temporal variability of CO₂ across the European continent were then assessed using satellite data from the international Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service program, and its comparability with available station measurements was evaluated. An additional interesting development involved identifying the components (fossil fuels, fires and burning, oceans, and terrestrial biosphere) impacting each measurement site using the Carbon Tracker program, which provides a quantitative estimate of CO₂ consumption and release from the Earth’s surface consistent with atmospheric observations.

Finally, a particular event occurring at the end of March 2020 was analyzed, characterized by an increase in CO₂ concentration at multiple measurement stations. Using inversion techniques and estimating the sources attributable to numerous fires caused by agricultural practices in the eastern part of the European continent, the impact on some stations in the European measurement network was assessed. This approach provides a useful example that can be used next year to identify and estimate anthropogenic sources related to the energy sector and to estimate national emissions through inverse modeling.