Global warming potential
Embodied Carbon: Developing a Client Brief, published by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) in March 2017, defines Global Warming Potential (GWP) as: ‘…a relative measure of how much a given mass of greenhouse gas is estimated to contribute to global warming over a given time interval. It is expressed relative to carbon dioxide which has a GWP of 1. These factors are regularly updated, and it is recommended to use the latest factors from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Most assessments adopt GWP factors over a 100 year-time horizon.
GWP of principal greenhouse gases over 100 years excluding climate-carbon feedbacks
| Greenhouse Gas | GWP | Typical sources |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | 1 | Energy combustion, biochemical reactions |
| Methane (CH4) | 28 | Decomposition |
| Nitrous oxide (N2O) | 265 | Fertilisers, car emissions, manufacturing |
Ref IPCC, 2013. Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group 1 to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Table 8.7.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.