What is sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) classified as in reference to environmental standards?

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is classified as a greenhouse gas, and it is specifically tracked under the Kyoto Protocol due to its significant global warming potential. SF6 is a synthetic compound that is used in various applications, primarily in electrical insulation and as a dielectric medium in high-voltage equipment. Its potency as a greenhouse gas is exceptionally high; it has a global warming potential that is thousands of times greater than that of carbon dioxide when compared over a 100-year period.

The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that commits its parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, recognizing SF6 as one of the gases that contributes to climate change. By tracking and monitoring its emissions, the protocol aims to mitigate the adverse effects that such potent greenhouse gases have on global warming and climate change.

The other classifications do not accurately represent SF6's impact on the environment and its recognition within international environmental agreements.