GWPS

Global Warming Potentials

GWPs can also be used to define the impact will have on global warming over different time periods or time horizons. These are usually 20 years, 100 years and 500 years. For most greenhouse gases, the GWP declines as the time horizon increases. This is because the greenhouse gas is gradually removed from the atmosphere through natural removal mechanisms, and its influence on the greenhouse effect declines. Some of the however, have long atmospheric lifetimes, and the 100-year GWP may be greater than the 20 year GWP.

Although there are a number of ways of measuring the strength of different n the atmosphere, the Global Warming Potential (GWP) is perhaps the most useful, particularly as a policy instrument. GWPs measure the influence greenhouse gases have on the natural including the ability of greenhouse gas molecules to absorb or trap heat and the length of time greenhouse gas molecules remain in the atmosphere before being removed or broken down, the atmospheric lifetime. In this way, the contribution that each greenhouse gas has towards global warming can be assessed.

GWPs can also be used to define the impact ill have on global warming over different time periods or time horizons. These are usually 20 years, 100 years and 500 years. For most greenhouse gases, the GWP declines as the time horizon increases. This is because the greenhouse gas is gradually removed from the atmosphere through natural removal mechanisms, and its influence on the greenhouse effect declines. Some of the however, have long atmospheric lifetimes, and the 100-year GWP may be greater than the 20 year GWP.