The resistivity of a BaCe0.95Y0.0503-alpha ceramic element is very sensitive to CO2 in a moist atmosphere. A reproducible linear relationship between the resistivity and the CO2 concentration is observed in the range 200-3000 ppm. In situ FT-IR spectra indicate that hydroxides are formed on the BaCe0.95Y0.0503-alpha surface in the moist atmosphere and react with CO2 to form carbonates. From various electrochemical measurements, it is found that the carbonates formed do not increase the bulk resistivity of BaCe0.95Y0.05O3-alpha but the resistivity of the interface between the electrolyte and the electrode.