The relative effect of the six Kyoto Protocol GHGs on the atmosphere, for the same level of emissions. Defined scientifically as the cumulative radiative forcing effect of a gas over a specified time period resulting from the emission of 1 kilogram of a gas relative to 1 kilogram of a reference gas (e.g., CO2 equivalent). GWP is a relative scale where carbon dioxide equals 1. The GWP changes according to the time horizon used.
Learn more IPCC report on radiative forcing Other metrics for comparing emissions