GWPvel

GWPvel is a term that refers to the Global Warming Potential over a 20-year timeframe. It is a measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere over two decades, relative to carbon dioxide. This metric is used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other scientific bodies to assess the short-term impact of different greenhouse gases.

The GWPvel of a gas is calculated by comparing its heat-trapping ability to that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Carbon dioxide is assigned a GWPvel of 1. Gases with a higher GWPvel are considered more potent greenhouse gases in the short term. For instance, methane has a GWPvel of approximately 84, meaning it traps 84 times more heat than carbon dioxide over 20 years. Nitrous oxide has a GWPvel of around 264.

While GWPvel focuses on the immediate warming effect, it's important to note that greenhouse gases also have different atmospheric lifetimes. Some gases persist in the atmosphere for centuries, contributing to long-term warming. Therefore, the IPCC also uses a 100-year Global Warming Potential (GWP100) to evaluate the cumulative warming effect over a longer period. GWPvel is particularly useful for understanding the immediate climate implications of emissions and for setting short-term climate policy targets. The choice between GWPvel and GWP100 depends on the specific policy objective or scientific analysis being conducted.