lowerGWP

lowerGWP is a term used in environmental science and engineering to describe substances, products, or technologies designed to minimize global warming potential relative to conventional options. The goal is to reduce climate impact by substituting higher-GWP substances with those that have lower GWP values, as defined by international guidelines.

Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a metric that compares the integrated radiative forcing of a greenhouse gas over a chosen time horizon, typically 100 years, to that of carbon dioxide. CO2 is the reference with a GWP of 1, and other gases have GWP values that depend on their atmospheric lifetime and radiative efficiency.

Approaches to lowerGWP include using natural refrigerants such as carbon dioxide, ammonia, or hydrocarbons; employing hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) with low GWPs; and adopting low-GWP blowing agents for foams and low-GWP solvents. In many sectors, performance is balanced against safety, efficiency, and cost considerations.

Adopting lowerGWP substances involves tradeoffs: flammability, toxicity, energy efficiency, material compatibility, and price. GWP measures capture only climate impact and depend on the chosen horizon; a full assessment may reveal additional environmental and health factors. Lifecycle thinking helps compare options beyond GWP alone.

Policy frameworks such as the Kigali Amendment and regional F-Gas regulations encourage shifting toward lower-GWP options. GWP remains a key metric in design and regulation, but it is one of several factors guiding substitution, not an absolute standard.