Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a measure used to compare the ability of different greenhouse gases to trap heat in the atmosphere over a specific time period, usually 100 years. It quantifies how much heat a gas can retain compared to carbon dioxide (CO2), which has a GWP of 1. For example, methane (CH4) has a GWP of 28-36, meaning it is significantly more effective at warming the planet than carbon dioxide. GWP helps policymakers and scientists understand the impact of various gases on climate change. By using GWP values, they can prioritize efforts to reduce emissions of more potent gases, such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), to mitigate global warming effectively.