Which of the following is a major contributing factor to the climate concern regarding refrigerants?

The major contributing factor to climate concern regarding refrigerants is global warming potential (GWP). GWP is a measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere over a specific time period, compared to carbon dioxide. Refrigerants with high GWP values can contribute significantly to global warming when they are released into the atmosphere. This is particularly concerning because many refrigerants used in cooling and refrigeration systems have been found to have very high GWP measurements, leading to increased emphasis on reducing their usage or finding alternatives that are more environmentally friendly.

Other factors such as ozone depletion, while also critical in discussions about refrigerants and their environmental impact, primarily concern the specific layer of the atmosphere and its effects on living organisms, rather than directly contributing to climate change in terms of heat retention. Low efficiency in refrigerants can affect operational costs and energy consumption but does not directly pertain to their climate impact. The cost of refrigerants may influence market choices but does not relate specifically to climate change concerns. Thus, global warming potential stands out as the most relevant factor when examining the environmental impacts of refrigerants.