Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a measure of the potential impact of a greenhouse gas (GHG) on global warming over a specific timeframe, usually 100 years. It quantifies the ability of a GHG, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) or methane (CH4), to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere relative to that of carbon dioxide. GWP values are used to compare the warming effects of different GHGs and to estimate their contributions to climate change.

The GWP of a greenhouse gas is expressed as a factor relative to carbon dioxide, which has a GWP of 1. For example, methane has a higher GWP than carbon dioxide, indicating that it has a greater warming effect per unit of mass. GWP values are typically used to calculate the carbon footprint or greenhouse gas emissions of various activities, products, or processes. By considering the GWP of different gases, policymakers and researchers can prioritize efforts to reduce emissions of gases with higher GWPs and mitigate their impact on global warming and climate change.