The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a new record high in 2012, according to the United Nations weather agency.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in its annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin says between 1990 and 2012 there was a 32 per cent increase in the warming effect of global climate.

It says this is due to emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other heat-trapping gases such as methane and nitrate oxide.

Derrick Mbatha reports.

Duration: 3'53"