Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a measure of how much energy a greenhouse gas (GHG) traps in the atmosphere over a specific time period (usually 100 years) compared to carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is given a GWP of 1. GWP helps compare the relative impact of different gases on global warming.
Here’s a ranking of greenhouse gases based on their GWP from low to high:
1. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) - GWP: 1
- Source: Combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), deforestation, cement production, and land-use changes.
- Notes: The baseline GWP of 1, meaning it is the standard against which other gases are compared.
2. Methane (CH₄) - GWP: 25
- Source: Agriculture (especially from livestock), landfills, coal mining, oil extraction, and natural gas systems.
- Notes: Over a 100-year period, methane is 25 times more effective than CO₂ at trapping heat in the atmosphere.
3. Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) - GWP: 298
- Source: Agriculture (especially synthetic fertilizers), industrial processes, fossil fuel combustion, and waste treatment.
- Notes: Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas, with a 298 times greater heat-trapping capacity than CO₂ over 100 years.
4. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) - GWP: 12 to 14,000
- Source: Used in refrigeration, air conditioning, aerosol propellants, and foam-blowing agents.
- Notes: HFCs vary in GWP depending on the specific compound. HFC-134a, for instance, has a GWP of 1,430, whereas HFC-23 has a GWP of 14,800.
5. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) - GWP: 7,390 to 17,340
- Source: Produced during aluminum production, refrigeration, and air conditioning.
- Notes: PFCs are long-lived and have very high GWPs, with PFC-116 being one of the most potent, having a GWP of 11,500.
6. Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF₆) - GWP: 23,500
- Source: Used in electrical insulation for high-voltage equipment like circuit breakers and transformers.
- Notes: SF₆ has an extremely high GWP, making it one of the most potent greenhouse gases with a GWP 23,500 times that of CO₂.
7. Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF₃) - GWP: 17,200
- Source: Used in the production of semiconductors and flat-panel displays.
- Notes: Nitrogen trifluoride is another industrial gas with a high GWP and is primarily produced in the electronics industry.
8. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - GWP: 4,750 to 10,900
- Source: Used as refrigerants, solvents, and aerosol propellants before their regulation under the Montreal Protocol.
- Notes: CFCs are ozone-depleting substances as well as potent GHGs. Their production has decreased significantly due to the Montreal Protocol, but their legacy remains in the atmosphere.
9. Trifluoromethyl Sulfur Pentafluoride (SF₅CF₃) - GWP: 27,000
- Source: Industrial applications, though it is quite rare.
- Notes: SF₅CF₃ is a high GWP gas that has been studied for its properties in electrical applications.
Summary of GWP Ranking (from Low to High)
|
Gas
|
GWP (100-year)
|
Common Sources
|
|
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
|
1
|
Fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, cement production
|
|
Methane (CH₄)
|
25
|
Agriculture, landfills, fossil fuel extraction
|
|
Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)
|
298
|
Agriculture (fertilizers), industrial processes
|
|
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
|
12 - 14,000
|
Refrigerants, air conditioning, aerosols
|
|
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
|
7,390 - 17,340
|
Aluminum production, refrigeration
|
|
Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF₆)
|
23,500
|
Electrical equipment insulation
|
|
Nitrogen Trifluoride (NF₃)
|
17,200
|
Electronics manufacturing
|
|
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
|
4,750 - 10,900
|
Refrigerants, solvents, aerosols
|
|
Trifluoromethyl Sulfur Pentafluoride (SF₅CF₃)
|
27,000
|
Industrial (rare)
|
Conclusion
The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of gases is a key measure for understanding their contribution to climate change. While carbon dioxide (CO₂) remains the primary GHG, gases like methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and especially industrial gases like SF₆ and NF₃ have much higher GWPs and represent significant challenges in mitigating climate change.
Efforts to reduce emissions of these high-GWP gases, alongside transitioning to clean energy and improving energy efficiency, are critical in achieving global climate goals and limiting global warming to 1.5°C to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, as set out in the Paris Agreement.
9911796707
