Global Warming Potential

Greenhouse gases differ in their ability to trap heat in the atmosphere. C02 has the least ability to trap heat, while SF6 has the greatest. Each molecule of SF6 traps 23,900 more heat than a single nolecule of C02. The ability of greenhouse gases to trap heat is termed its Warming Potential. Each molecule of C02 has a warming potential of 1. The warming potential of the other greenhouse gases is provided in the table below.


Gas

GWP

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

1

Methane (CH4)

21

Nitrous Oxide (N20)

310

HFC-23

11,700

HFC-125

2,800

HFC-134a

1,300

HFC-143a

3,800

HFC-152a

140

HFC-227ea

2,900

HFC-236fa

6,300

HFC-4310mee

1,300

Perfluoromethane (CF4)

6,500

Perfluoromethane (C2F6)

9,200

Perfluoromethane (C4F10)

7,000

Perfluoromethane (C6F14)

7,400

Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6)

23,900

Source (IPCC 1996**) from the EPA Global Warming Site: National Emissions - Global Warming Potentials.

**Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Climate Change 1995: The Science of Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, 1995, Table 2.9, p.121.

Note:  Not all greenhouse gases are to be controlled under the Kyoto Protocol.


Related Links:

Greenhouse Gas Concentrations

Global Greenhouse Warming

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - reports

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - Global Warming Potentials

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Glossary - Global Warming Potential (GWP)