Global Warming Potential (GWP), also known as Atmospheric Warming Potential (AWP), is a metric that allows comparison of the effect of different greenhouse gases (GHGs) on global warming relative to carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is used as the reference with a value of 1.
GWP is usually calculated over a 100-year time horizon and takes into account three factors:
- The gas’s ability to absorb infrared radiation
- The location of its absorption bands in the infrared spectrum
- Its atmospheric lifetime (half-life)
Examples of 100-year GWP:
- Methane (CH₄): 28–36
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O): 298
- Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆): 23,500
GWP can also be calculated for 20- or 500-year horizons, which changes the value depending on the atmospheric lifetime of the gas. Understanding GWP is essential for designing effective mitigation strategies, prioritizing the reduction of high-impact gases.
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