What is Global Warming Potential (GWP)?
A measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere over a specific time period, relative to carbon dioxide. For example, methane has a GWP of 28-36 over 100 years, meaning it is 28-36 times more potent than CO₂.
Why it matters
GWP values are essential for converting different greenhouse gases into CO₂e. They are updated periodically by the IPCC, and using the correct GWP values ensures your carbon report aligns with accepted science and reporting standards.
Example
An HVAC company reports a refrigerant leak of 5 kg of R-410A. With a GWP of 2,088, this small leak equates to 10.4 tCO₂e, making it one of the company's largest single emission sources.
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