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
This is a BIG deal and a hopeful message: countries can cooperate to avoid a race to the bottom.
New OECD data, just out today:
For the third year running, the average global corporate tax rate *increased* - and more countries now *raise* than lower their corporate taxes.
This follows the adoption of the global minimum tax and essentially reverses four decades of racing to the bottom.
For the third year running, the average global corporate tax rate *increased* - and more countries now *raise* than lower their corporate taxes.
This follows the adoption of the global minimum tax and essentially reverses four decades of racing to the bottom.
November 25, 2025 at 2:21 PM
This is a BIG deal and a hopeful message: countries can cooperate to avoid a race to the bottom.
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
“With this declaration, Colombia protects more than 483,000 km² of the Amazon biome, which corresponds to 42% of its national territory & 7% of the total South American Amazon. The Colombian govt has emphasized that “the magnitude of the gesture reaffirms its environmental & climate leadership...”
Incredible……
Colombia declares its entire Amazon Biome off limits to mining & oil extraction.
Colombia declares its entire Amazon Biome off limits to mining & oil extraction.
Colombia Declares Its Entire Amazon Region Off-Limits to Mining and Oil Extraction
At COP30, Colombia's Minister of the Environment announced that the entire Amazon region would be declared free of mining and oil extraction.
colombiaone.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
“With this declaration, Colombia protects more than 483,000 km² of the Amazon biome, which corresponds to 42% of its national territory & 7% of the total South American Amazon. The Colombian govt has emphasized that “the magnitude of the gesture reaffirms its environmental & climate leadership...”
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
In case you missed this it, we published our in-depth summary of COP30 yesterday
🚨 JUST PUBLISHED: CARBON BRIEF’S #COP30 SUMMARY 🚨
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
November 24, 2025 at 12:01 PM
In case you missed this it, we published our in-depth summary of COP30 yesterday
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
Happy to see that the SI on "Locating the ‘Global South’ in Earth System Governance" is available: lnkd.in/esACVWfA
I contributed a paper on "Exporting norm interpretations from the Global South: Explaining India's reasons for contesting and reshaping international climate norms" lnkd.in/eUQAUhNd.
I contributed a paper on "Exporting norm interpretations from the Global South: Explaining India's reasons for contesting and reshaping international climate norms" lnkd.in/eUQAUhNd.
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
November 21, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Happy to see that the SI on "Locating the ‘Global South’ in Earth System Governance" is available: lnkd.in/esACVWfA
I contributed a paper on "Exporting norm interpretations from the Global South: Explaining India's reasons for contesting and reshaping international climate norms" lnkd.in/eUQAUhNd.
I contributed a paper on "Exporting norm interpretations from the Global South: Explaining India's reasons for contesting and reshaping international climate norms" lnkd.in/eUQAUhNd.
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
It’s very hard to see what the opposition is to a roadmap beyond ‘we just want to burn lots more fossil fuels’. It’s just a promise to discuss a roadmap and it’s for a ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels, not a full phase out.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Cop30: dozens of countries threaten to block resolution unless it contains roadmap to fossil fuel phase-out
Exclusive: The Guardian understands Brazil had been planning to drop a roadmap to a transition away from fossil fuels amid opposition from petro states
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:28 AM
It’s very hard to see what the opposition is to a roadmap beyond ‘we just want to burn lots more fossil fuels’. It’s just a promise to discuss a roadmap and it’s for a ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels, not a full phase out.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Kudos to @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and the whole @carbonbrief.org team. So a very weak draft decision. But so was the second to last draft of the Dubai GST outcome decision
COP30 BREAKING NEWS
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
November 21, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Kudos to @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and the whole @carbonbrief.org team. So a very weak draft decision. But so was the second to last draft of the Dubai GST outcome decision
While the outcome remains to be seen, #COP30 will probably once again demonstrate that the COP Presidency is the key make-or-break factor. The Club of Rome was thus right to demand that future COP presidencies should only be given to countries that are actually committed to fighting #climatechange
"For Minister Silva, the fight against deforestation and fossil fuels is a lifelong political, ethical and very personal one. And it is this very fight that President Lula chose to endorse ..., recognizing that the Amazonian COP could not stay silent." - sehr schönes Stück über Marina Silva u #COP30
Marina Silva - COP30’s inner light
How Lula’s ambition - and Marina Silva’s lifelong mission - brought deforestation and fossil fuel phaseout to the heart of COP30 discussions.
backchannel1.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:18 AM
While the outcome remains to be seen, #COP30 will probably once again demonstrate that the COP Presidency is the key make-or-break factor. The Club of Rome was thus right to demand that future COP presidencies should only be given to countries that are actually committed to fighting #climatechange
I agree that the signal sent by the Paris Agreement to pursue low-emission development has had an impact. And one of the main things #COP can do is to further reinforce this signal, as in the #COP28 GST outcome, and hopefully now in #Bélem
In the decade since the #ParisAgreement was signed, #BigOil has been fighting hard to protect its business, pouring billions into lobbying & supporting climate-skeptic politicians, with success. BUT, the tide is turning & "the momentum isn't with the fossil fuel industry", @erikalennon.bsky.social.
November 20, 2025 at 8:58 AM
I really like Stefan's take on what's happening in #Bélem. "Roadmaps shift attention away from aggregated, quantified targets and gaps towards the messy, grounded questions of implementation... This is also why we see new forms of #obstruction in the negotiations"
Belém News #7 — From Gaps to Roadmaps
www.linkedin.com/posts/stefan...
www.linkedin.com/posts/stefan...
#roadmaps #cop30 #belém #globalmutirão #fossilfuels #implementation #obstruction | Stefan C. Aykut
Belém News #7 — From Gaps to Roadmaps
There is a lot of talk about #Roadmaps at the moment at #COP30 in #Belém.
This was visible in yesterday morning’s draft cover decision on the #GlobalMutirão issu...
www.linkedin.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:45 AM
I really like Stefan's take on what's happening in #Bélem. "Roadmaps shift attention away from aggregated, quantified targets and gaps towards the messy, grounded questions of implementation... This is also why we see new forms of #obstruction in the negotiations"
Reposted by Wolfgang Obergassel
Belém News #7 — From Gaps to Roadmaps
www.linkedin.com/posts/stefan...
www.linkedin.com/posts/stefan...
#roadmaps #cop30 #belém #globalmutirão #fossilfuels #implementation #obstruction | Stefan C. Aykut
Belém News #7 — From Gaps to Roadmaps
There is a lot of talk about #Roadmaps at the moment at #COP30 in #Belém.
This was visible in yesterday morning’s draft cover decision on the #GlobalMutirão issu...
www.linkedin.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Belém News #7 — From Gaps to Roadmaps
www.linkedin.com/posts/stefan...
www.linkedin.com/posts/stefan...
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.