In order to calculate accurately the non-LTE (local thermal equilibrium) CO2v34.3-&mgr;m radiance resulting from emission at altitudes greater than about 50 km it is necessary to consider (1) the near-resonant vv coupling betweeen N2 and the CO2v3 states, N2+CO2(v1v2v3) ⋅N2≠+CO2(v1v2v3-1), and (2) the radiative transport altitude coupling in a given v3 band, i.e.,CO2(z,v1v2v3-1)+hv3; hv3 propagates from altitude z to altitude z' and is absorbed, hv3+CO2(z',v1v2v3-1) →CO2 (z',v1v2v3). Quenchng and excitaion by thermal processes must also be accounted for. We utilize a set of II CO2v3 bands that are sufficiently complete for a accurate description of the problem. The 12C16O2001⋅000 band is by far the strongest of these bands, but errors as large as a factor of 3 in the magnitude and the timing of the CO2 4.3-&mgr;m radiance may be made if the weak bands are not included in the calculation. We apply the theory for the analysis of rocket-measured auroral 4.3-&mgr;m zenith radiance data that have been reported in the literature (Stair et al., 1975). We also point out that the theory is generally applicable for any mechanism which produces vibrational excitation of CO2v2 or N2≠.