The Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a crucial metric that allows scientists and policymakers to compare the climate impacts of different greenhouse gases (GHGs) against carbon dioxide (CO2).
By definition, CO2 is the baseline, with a GWP of 1. A gas's GWP is calculated by integrating its ability to trap heat—its radiative forcing—over a specific period, typically 100 years (GWP100), relative to the same mass of CO2.