Wolfgang Obergassel
@obergassel.bsky.social
Husband, father of three,
Co-Head Research Unit Global Climate Governance at the Wuppertal Institute
Co-Head Research Unit Global Climate Governance at the Wuppertal Institute
Pinned
The potential of international institutions to foster transitions. The example of the Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement
Socio-technical transitions literature has so far engaged very little with the question of how international institutions could foster transitions. Co…
www.sciencedirect.com
What’s the point of global #climate governance? We hope to provide a novel take with a #systemtransformation perspective, with Christiane Beuermann, @carstenelsner.bsky.social @heleendeconinck.bsky.social @ndcaspects.bsky.social @acclimateproject.bsky.social www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
Practice so you're ready.
I had the good fortune once of serving with a man who heard an insult to a woman colleague from the man in leadership.
He said, in his usual calm voice, “You know how you just said (insult)?”
Took a beat.
“Never say that again.”
He said, in his usual calm voice, “You know how you just said (insult)?”
Took a beat.
“Never say that again.”
November 19, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Practice so you're ready.
I think the most important issue at stake at #COP30 in #Bélem on mitigation is whether the #UNFCCC continues addressing the transitions needed to achieve the mitigation objectives of the #ParisAgreement - or gets forced back into discussing the global emissions gap only in abstract terms
November 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I think the most important issue at stake at #COP30 in #Bélem on mitigation is whether the #UNFCCC continues addressing the transitions needed to achieve the mitigation objectives of the #ParisAgreement - or gets forced back into discussing the global emissions gap only in abstract terms
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
Reasons for climate optimism – part 9
A broad variety of actors support clean energy technologies because of their cost advantages, their potential to create innovation and employment, and their contribution to energy security.
A broad variety of actors support clean energy technologies because of their cost advantages, their potential to create innovation and employment, and their contribution to energy security.
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Reasons for climate optimism – part 9
A broad variety of actors support clean energy technologies because of their cost advantages, their potential to create innovation and employment, and their contribution to energy security.
A broad variety of actors support clean energy technologies because of their cost advantages, their potential to create innovation and employment, and their contribution to energy security.
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
🌍 ACCLIMATE at #COP30 happening today! For those attending #COP30, join us at the side event “𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧"!
🗓 16:45–18:15 | Side Event Room 6
More details ▶️ wupperinst.org/en/a/wi/a/s/...
🗓 16:45–18:15 | Side Event Room 6
More details ▶️ wupperinst.org/en/a/wi/a/s/...
November 17, 2025 at 12:38 PM
🌍 ACCLIMATE at #COP30 happening today! For those attending #COP30, join us at the side event “𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧"!
🗓 16:45–18:15 | Side Event Room 6
More details ▶️ wupperinst.org/en/a/wi/a/s/...
🗓 16:45–18:15 | Side Event Room 6
More details ▶️ wupperinst.org/en/a/wi/a/s/...
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
History doesn't repeat, but it rhymes, a #climatefinance story:
After the $100bn climate finance goal was agreed in 2009, the UN Secretary General created a High-Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing (AGF) to study potential sources of revenue to meet the new goal, led by the PMs of 🇪🇹&🇳🇴
After the $100bn climate finance goal was agreed in 2009, the UN Secretary General created a High-Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing (AGF) to study potential sources of revenue to meet the new goal, led by the PMs of 🇪🇹&🇳🇴
High-Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing - Final Report
web.archive.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:25 PM
History doesn't repeat, but it rhymes, a #climatefinance story:
After the $100bn climate finance goal was agreed in 2009, the UN Secretary General created a High-Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing (AGF) to study potential sources of revenue to meet the new goal, led by the PMs of 🇪🇹&🇳🇴
After the $100bn climate finance goal was agreed in 2009, the UN Secretary General created a High-Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing (AGF) to study potential sources of revenue to meet the new goal, led by the PMs of 🇪🇹&🇳🇴
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
“After the ICJ advisory opinion and the well-document six-decade playbook of climate obstruction, states at Cop should recognize the irreconcilable conflict of interest of the fossil fuel industry – which is similar to the tobacco industry,” -- Elisa Morgera
November 14, 2025 at 1:11 PM
“After the ICJ advisory opinion and the well-document six-decade playbook of climate obstruction, states at Cop should recognize the irreconcilable conflict of interest of the fossil fuel industry – which is similar to the tobacco industry,” -- Elisa Morgera
I think this article by Michael Jacobs is a very good summary of the achievements and limitations of the #UNFCCC #COP process
’Undermining that confidence by dismissing UN climate conferences as pointless risks slowing this progress. Cop critics like to think of themselves as brave tellers of truth to power. They may end up merely being Donald Trump’s unwitting accomplices.’
theconversation.com/the-un-clima...
theconversation.com/the-un-clima...
The UN climate summits are working – just not in the way their critics think
Many say UN climate summits are pointless. They’re wrong.
theconversation.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
🌍 ACCLIMATE at #COP30
On Monday, during the side event 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, our colleague from @wuppertalinstitut.bsky.social will present insights from ACCLIMATE’s work on 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬.
🕓 17 Nov, 16:45–18:15
On Monday, during the side event 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, our colleague from @wuppertalinstitut.bsky.social will present insights from ACCLIMATE’s work on 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬.
🕓 17 Nov, 16:45–18:15
November 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
🌍 ACCLIMATE at #COP30
On Monday, during the side event 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, our colleague from @wuppertalinstitut.bsky.social will present insights from ACCLIMATE’s work on 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬.
🕓 17 Nov, 16:45–18:15
On Monday, during the side event 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, our colleague from @wuppertalinstitut.bsky.social will present insights from ACCLIMATE’s work on 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬.
🕓 17 Nov, 16:45–18:15
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
A fascinating glimpse into how Pakistan's solar miracle is happening on the ground. Solar power is like water: It will flow into every crack the legacy energy system in emerging economies has. And the cracks are growing.
#Solarization is inevitable
#Solarization is inevitable
November 13, 2025 at 10:57 AM
A fascinating glimpse into how Pakistan's solar miracle is happening on the ground. Solar power is like water: It will flow into every crack the legacy energy system in emerging economies has. And the cracks are growing.
#Solarization is inevitable
#Solarization is inevitable
Much-needed correction to some of the news coverage of the new #WorldEnergyOutlook
NEW: Global fossil fuel use will peak before 2030 – unless 'stated policies' are abandoned
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
November 12, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Much-needed correction to some of the news coverage of the new #WorldEnergyOutlook
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
prepare for a fight at #COP30.
Sitting on the floor of a UN negotiation room, after 20,000 steps, the first real test is coming mid-week, when countries take stock in plenary.
Three crunch issues are already shaping the tone of this COP a thread 🧵1/X
Sitting on the floor of a UN negotiation room, after 20,000 steps, the first real test is coming mid-week, when countries take stock in plenary.
Three crunch issues are already shaping the tone of this COP a thread 🧵1/X
November 11, 2025 at 11:02 AM
prepare for a fight at #COP30.
Sitting on the floor of a UN negotiation room, after 20,000 steps, the first real test is coming mid-week, when countries take stock in plenary.
Three crunch issues are already shaping the tone of this COP a thread 🧵1/X
Sitting on the floor of a UN negotiation room, after 20,000 steps, the first real test is coming mid-week, when countries take stock in plenary.
Three crunch issues are already shaping the tone of this COP a thread 🧵1/X
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
A decade ago, solar power barely registered in Hungary’s electricity mix — just 0.2% of generation. Back then, nuclear, coal, and gas dominated the grid.
Fast forward ten years and solar power now supplies around 1/4 of Hungary’s electricity — a remarkable transformation.
Fast forward ten years and solar power now supplies around 1/4 of Hungary’s electricity — a remarkable transformation.
November 11, 2025 at 11:41 AM
A decade ago, solar power barely registered in Hungary’s electricity mix — just 0.2% of generation. Back then, nuclear, coal, and gas dominated the grid.
Fast forward ten years and solar power now supplies around 1/4 of Hungary’s electricity — a remarkable transformation.
Fast forward ten years and solar power now supplies around 1/4 of Hungary’s electricity — a remarkable transformation.
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
Last night at #COP30 the presidency consulted on four crucial topics: response to NDCs, transparency (BTRs), article 9.1 (provision of finance by developed countries), and unilateral trade measures.
These four elements will be key to the outcome, despite being dropped from the official agendas.
These four elements will be key to the outcome, despite being dropped from the official agendas.
November 11, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Last night at #COP30 the presidency consulted on four crucial topics: response to NDCs, transparency (BTRs), article 9.1 (provision of finance by developed countries), and unilateral trade measures.
These four elements will be key to the outcome, despite being dropped from the official agendas.
These four elements will be key to the outcome, despite being dropped from the official agendas.
This is a mining magnate speaking. Andrew Forrest says #realzero is already the “winning business case” in three key #fossil fuel guzzling industries reneweconomy.com.au/andrew-forre...
reneweconomy.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
This is a mining magnate speaking. Andrew Forrest says #realzero is already the “winning business case” in three key #fossil fuel guzzling industries reneweconomy.com.au/andrew-forre...
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
This sets the tone for the next two weeks.
A roadmap for the just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels is rising to the fore as a key expectation from the COP.
A roadmap for the just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels is rising to the fore as a key expectation from the COP.
November 10, 2025 at 12:46 PM
This sets the tone for the next two weeks.
A roadmap for the just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels is rising to the fore as a key expectation from the COP.
A roadmap for the just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels is rising to the fore as a key expectation from the COP.
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
The dominant narrative is that the world is rolling back climate policy. But what does the data say?
The latest Oxford Climate Policy Monitor Annual Review from the Oxford Climate Policy Hub tells three key stories.
bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/climate...
The latest Oxford Climate Policy Monitor Annual Review from the Oxford Climate Policy Hub tells three key stories.
bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/climate...
November 10, 2025 at 11:17 AM
The dominant narrative is that the world is rolling back climate policy. But what does the data say?
The latest Oxford Climate Policy Monitor Annual Review from the Oxford Climate Policy Hub tells three key stories.
bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/climate...
The latest Oxford Climate Policy Monitor Annual Review from the Oxford Climate Policy Hub tells three key stories.
bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/climate...
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
Oil is the most Lovecraftian thing that actually exists.
You're telling me that there's a black ichor under the earth made from the ancient dead, whose burning can realize all the dreams of man, but only at the price of slowly returning the earth to its primordial state?
You're telling me that there's a black ichor under the earth made from the ancient dead, whose burning can realize all the dreams of man, but only at the price of slowly returning the earth to its primordial state?
November 6, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Oil is the most Lovecraftian thing that actually exists.
You're telling me that there's a black ichor under the earth made from the ancient dead, whose burning can realize all the dreams of man, but only at the price of slowly returning the earth to its primordial state?
You're telling me that there's a black ichor under the earth made from the ancient dead, whose burning can realize all the dreams of man, but only at the price of slowly returning the earth to its primordial state?
The weekly fix of #goodnews is in. This week on how the world has surprisingly become less grumpy, #deforestation in #Brazil dropping sharply, and more fixthenews.com/p/318-less-g...
318: Less grumpy. Czechia bans smacking. Amazon deforestation ⬇️. Milky Way 🤩. Superconducting semiconductors.
It's not a simulation.
fixthenews.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:47 AM
The weekly fix of #goodnews is in. This week on how the world has surprisingly become less grumpy, #deforestation in #Brazil dropping sharply, and more fixthenews.com/p/318-less-g...
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
November 7, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
We're told one of these land uses is 'productive', while the other is not.
But in terms of photosynthetic levels, as well as the production of clean air, water, no flooding, a stable climate, etc, etc, the natural ecosystem wins hands down.
As for biodiversity, let's not even go there.
But in terms of photosynthetic levels, as well as the production of clean air, water, no flooding, a stable climate, etc, etc, the natural ecosystem wins hands down.
As for biodiversity, let's not even go there.
November 7, 2025 at 6:34 AM
We're told one of these land uses is 'productive', while the other is not.
But in terms of photosynthetic levels, as well as the production of clean air, water, no flooding, a stable climate, etc, etc, the natural ecosystem wins hands down.
As for biodiversity, let's not even go there.
But in terms of photosynthetic levels, as well as the production of clean air, water, no flooding, a stable climate, etc, etc, the natural ecosystem wins hands down.
As for biodiversity, let's not even go there.
I do wonder what the landscape would look like if the #UNFCCC process had focused on phasing out #fossilfinance instead of carbon accounting
The new UNEP Emissions Gap Report points out that "no NDCs set targets to reduce oil and gas production or trim inefficient fossil fuel subsidies".
That countries are not addressing fossil fuels - at the heart of the climate crisis - is deeply worrying.
wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/ha...
That countries are not addressing fossil fuels - at the heart of the climate crisis - is deeply worrying.
wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/ha...
wedocs.unep.org
November 5, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I do wonder what the landscape would look like if the #UNFCCC process had focused on phasing out #fossilfinance instead of carbon accounting
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
Critics of renewables often point to land use as a reason not to do wind & solar. Land use IS a real issue for all energy assets incl renewables unless onsite.
But what critics conveniently forget is huge land impact of fossil fuels. Aerial view of fracking sites in Texas. 👇
But what critics conveniently forget is huge land impact of fossil fuels. Aerial view of fracking sites in Texas. 👇
November 5, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Critics of renewables often point to land use as a reason not to do wind & solar. Land use IS a real issue for all energy assets incl renewables unless onsite.
But what critics conveniently forget is huge land impact of fossil fuels. Aerial view of fracking sites in Texas. 👇
But what critics conveniently forget is huge land impact of fossil fuels. Aerial view of fracking sites in Texas. 👇
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
Hard to believe these days, but there was once a time when the US government led the debate on how to combat climate change and improve environmental quality.
60 yrs ago today (Nov 5, 1965), the 1st US government report to warn about climate change was published.
"Restoring the Quality of Our Environment" included warning of C02 build-up and sea-level rise/melting ice-caps.
allouryesterdays.info/2025/11/04/6...
1/n
"Restoring the Quality of Our Environment" included warning of C02 build-up and sea-level rise/melting ice-caps.
allouryesterdays.info/2025/11/04/6...
1/n
November 5, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Hard to believe these days, but there was once a time when the US government led the debate on how to combat climate change and improve environmental quality.
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
Out now ⚡ @unep.org’s Emissions Gap Report 2025 shows the world is still off track. New NDCs help, but not enough to avoid escalating climate risks and 1.5°C overshoot now very likely within the next decade.
Read the full report 🔗 bit.ly/3JGyNSS
Read the full report 🔗 bit.ly/3JGyNSS
November 4, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Out now ⚡ @unep.org’s Emissions Gap Report 2025 shows the world is still off track. New NDCs help, but not enough to avoid escalating climate risks and 1.5°C overshoot now very likely within the next decade.
Read the full report 🔗 bit.ly/3JGyNSS
Read the full report 🔗 bit.ly/3JGyNSS
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
Today a story I've spent months reporting and writing runs on @desmog.com and @theguardian.com.
It's based on hundreds of exclusive documents revealing how Exxon funded the rightwing Atlas Network to spread climate denial across Latin America and the Global South.
www.desmog.com/2025/11/03/a...
It's based on hundreds of exclusive documents revealing how Exxon funded the rightwing Atlas Network to spread climate denial across Latin America and the Global South.
www.desmog.com/2025/11/03/a...
‘A Pretty Ugly History’: How Exxon Exported Climate Denial to the Global South
With Brazil about to host COP30, DeSmog has obtained copies of checks Exxon mailed to the right-wing Atlas Network in the 1990s to turn Latin America against climate treaties.
www.desmog.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Today a story I've spent months reporting and writing runs on @desmog.com and @theguardian.com.
It's based on hundreds of exclusive documents revealing how Exxon funded the rightwing Atlas Network to spread climate denial across Latin America and the Global South.
www.desmog.com/2025/11/03/a...
It's based on hundreds of exclusive documents revealing how Exxon funded the rightwing Atlas Network to spread climate denial across Latin America and the Global South.
www.desmog.com/2025/11/03/a...