What is the significance of the global warming potential of methane as stated in the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report?

The global warming potential of methane is significant because it quantitatively represents the impact that methane has on climate change compared to carbon dioxide over a specific time frame. According to the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report, methane has a global warming potential (GWP) of approximately 28 over a 100-year time horizon. This means that, on a per molecule basis, methane is 28 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere when considering a century-long period.

This high GWP signifies that while methane exists in the atmosphere for a shorter duration than carbon dioxide, its potency as a greenhouse gas is considerably greater. Consequently, this understanding informs policy decisions and strategies for mitigating climate change, as reducing methane emissions can provide substantial short-term climate benefits. The acknowledgment of methane's substantial GWP highlights the need for targeted interventions in sectors such as agriculture and fossil fuel production, where methane emissions are prevalent.