What does global warming potential mean?
Global warming potential is the radiative forcing comparison logic that allows different greenhouse gases to be translated into a common CO2e basis. It is not a greenhouse gas itself and should be documented with the time horizon used.
Source context
This page follows ISO 14067:2018. GWP is a conversion metric for product-footprint calculations, not a standalone proof that a product is low carbon.
Official definitions by source
ISO 14067:2018
ISO 14067:2018 - Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products
index, based on radiative properties of GHGs (3.1.2.1), measuring the radiative forcing following a pulse emission of a unit mass of a given GHG in the present-day atmosphere integrated over a chosen time horizon, relative to that of carbon dioxide (CO2)
Reference: 3.1.2.4
View official source
Regulatory context
This term originates in ISO 14067:2018 and/or ISO 14044 LCA methodology. It is used in EU product regulation — particularly under the EU Battery Regulation (PEF method for carbon footprint) and ESPR (environmental footprint) — because both regulations require lifecycle-based quantification of environmental impacts. Practitioners applying these regulations should be familiar with these LCA/PEF concepts to correctly scope, conduct, and verify product-level environmental assessments.
Practical application
Implementation records should capture the GWP value, time horizon, gas identifier, CO2e conversion, source table, assessment report reference, calculation method, and product-footprint result link.
Minespider commentary
Global warming potential is a climate-metric conversion control: the evidence consequence is that CO2e figures can be traced back to gas-specific quantities and the conversion assumptions that made them comparable.
Common confusions
- Treating GWP as a gas or emission stream rather than a conversion index.
- Comparing CO2e results without checking the GWP time horizon.
- Using GWP values without preserving the source table or assessment reference.
Related regulations
Related terms