Christoph Bertram
@christoph-bertram.bsky.social
Energy systems modeling & policy analysis - Associate Research Professor at Center for Global Sustainability, CGS @ctrglobsust.bsky.social at UMD @univofmaryland.bsky.social
German living and biking in DC, and with odd interest in basketball
Views my own
German living and biking in DC, and with odd interest in basketball
Views my own
Pinned
Just launched 📣
CGS's new flagship website on Country Climate Ambition offers critical insight for the Paris process through in-depth analyses and policy recommendations for major-emitting countries, as they set and seek to achieve ambitious 2035 #NDCs: www.country-ambition.cgs.umd.edu
CGS's new flagship website on Country Climate Ambition offers critical insight for the Paris process through in-depth analyses and policy recommendations for major-emitting countries, as they set and seek to achieve ambitious 2035 #NDCs: www.country-ambition.cgs.umd.edu
Great to see this product of work over the last half year with many great colleagues at @ctrglobsust.bsky.social launched.
What are possible high ambition emission pathways until 2035 for major countries, and their implications in the electricity sector and for fossil fuels? Find out 👇
What are possible high ambition emission pathways until 2035 for major countries, and their implications in the electricity sector and for fossil fuels? Find out 👇
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
The article doesn't say it, but this cool solar forecasting software uses no large language models, the thing people usually think of when they hear "AI." It uses a fairly simple convolutional neural network that's readily trained on a laptop. No data centers or LLMs involved. Research paper here:
November 9, 2025 at 12:29 PM
The article doesn't say it, but this cool solar forecasting software uses no large language models, the thing people usually think of when they hear "AI." It uses a fairly simple convolutional neural network that's readily trained on a laptop. No data centers or LLMs involved. Research paper here:
First ride in an electric taxi powered by Brazil's very clean electricity (see country-ambition.cgs.umd.edu/brazil#elect...). Just wow on how much space this offers inside for what from the outside even for European standards is a compact car. Very cheap according to yhe very friendly Rogerio 1/2
November 9, 2025 at 2:28 PM
First ride in an electric taxi powered by Brazil's very clean electricity (see country-ambition.cgs.umd.edu/brazil#elect...). Just wow on how much space this offers inside for what from the outside even for European standards is a compact car. Very cheap according to yhe very friendly Rogerio 1/2
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
China's formal submission of its new climate targets leaves out the commitment made in 2021 to gradually reduce coal consumption in 2026-30. It does reiterate the commitment to reduce carbon intensity, which is currently badly off track, but doesn't provide any progress update.
November 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
China's formal submission of its new climate targets leaves out the commitment made in 2021 to gradually reduce coal consumption in 2026-30. It does reiterate the commitment to reduce carbon intensity, which is currently badly off track, but doesn't provide any progress update.
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
Some much needed good news. “Jamaicans Have Been Turning to Solar Power. It Paid Off After the Storm.” Guft link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/c...
Jamaicans Have Been Turning to Solar Power. It Paid Off After the Storm.
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Some much needed good news. “Jamaicans Have Been Turning to Solar Power. It Paid Off After the Storm.” Guft link: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/c...
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
Here is an embarrassing graph I have just made for a report. Fun fact:
in 2020/21 Indian Railways added the equivalent of the UK’s *entire electrified railway network* (over 6000 route kilometers!) to their own electrified network - and then did this again in 2021/22
…and AGAIN in 2022/23! 🤯
in 2020/21 Indian Railways added the equivalent of the UK’s *entire electrified railway network* (over 6000 route kilometers!) to their own electrified network - and then did this again in 2021/22
…and AGAIN in 2022/23! 🤯
March 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Here is an embarrassing graph I have just made for a report. Fun fact:
in 2020/21 Indian Railways added the equivalent of the UK’s *entire electrified railway network* (over 6000 route kilometers!) to their own electrified network - and then did this again in 2021/22
…and AGAIN in 2022/23! 🤯
in 2020/21 Indian Railways added the equivalent of the UK’s *entire electrified railway network* (over 6000 route kilometers!) to their own electrified network - and then did this again in 2021/22
…and AGAIN in 2022/23! 🤯
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
Hey all you might want to check your "require alt text" setting - mine got turned off and it sounds like it's happened to others, too (presumably with recent updates).
And if you've never done this, now's a good time:
Settings → Accessibility → Require alt text before posting
And if you've never done this, now's a good time:
Settings → Accessibility → Require alt text before posting
November 7, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Hey all you might want to check your "require alt text" setting - mine got turned off and it sounds like it's happened to others, too (presumably with recent updates).
And if you've never done this, now's a good time:
Settings → Accessibility → Require alt text before posting
And if you've never done this, now's a good time:
Settings → Accessibility → Require alt text before posting
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
🚨Excited to share our new paper "Dirty talk: Media discourse and the struggle over South Africa’s coal transition", published today in #ERSS @elseviersej.bsky.social with my great @pik-potsdam.bsky.social colleagues Charlotte S. Bez and Giacomo Raederscheidt.
A quick thread 🧵1/
A quick thread 🧵1/
November 5, 2025 at 10:25 AM
🚨Excited to share our new paper "Dirty talk: Media discourse and the struggle over South Africa’s coal transition", published today in #ERSS @elseviersej.bsky.social with my great @pik-potsdam.bsky.social colleagues Charlotte S. Bez and Giacomo Raederscheidt.
A quick thread 🧵1/
A quick thread 🧵1/
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
We're looking for a postdoc for our new project on forecasting technological change - more details below
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Post Doctoral Research Associate in the Economics of Technological Change (2yr) ➵ https://www.inet.ox.ac.uk/vacancies
Join the @oxmartinschool.bsky.social Prog. on Forecasting Technological Change, led by @francoislafond.bsky.social , @doynefarmer.bsky.social & @maxroser.bsky.social
Join the @oxmartinschool.bsky.social Prog. on Forecasting Technological Change, led by @francoislafond.bsky.social , @doynefarmer.bsky.social & @maxroser.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM
We're looking for a postdoc for our new project on forecasting technological change - more details below
Good to see that China has now officially submitted its NDC with 2035 target, though the targets are still disappointing, see e.g. our analysis bsky.app/profile/chri...
Anyone aware of a good English translation?
@drsimevans.carbonbrief.org @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social @carbonbrief.org
Anyone aware of a good English translation?
@drsimevans.carbonbrief.org @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social @carbonbrief.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Good to see that China has now officially submitted its NDC with 2035 target, though the targets are still disappointing, see e.g. our analysis bsky.app/profile/chri...
Anyone aware of a good English translation?
@drsimevans.carbonbrief.org @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social @carbonbrief.org
Anyone aware of a good English translation?
@drsimevans.carbonbrief.org @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social @carbonbrief.org
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
Sales of non-diesel heavy trucks in the Chinese domestic market reached 57% of the total in September. LNG truck sales are still doing well, but the growth is largely in battery trucks.
November 3, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Sales of non-diesel heavy trucks in the Chinese domestic market reached 57% of the total in September. LNG truck sales are still doing well, but the growth is largely in battery trucks.
Halloween decoration in the neighborhood (photo taken a few days ago)
October 31, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Halloween decoration in the neighborhood (photo taken a few days ago)
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
The economic case for methane action is clear.
- Global methane abatement yields large net global economic benefits.
- The benefit-cost ratio of methane action is at least 3—rising to more than 6 when health cobenefits are included.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
- Global methane abatement yields large net global economic benefits.
- The benefit-cost ratio of methane action is at least 3—rising to more than 6 when health cobenefits are included.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
October 31, 2025 at 9:39 AM
The economic case for methane action is clear.
- Global methane abatement yields large net global economic benefits.
- The benefit-cost ratio of methane action is at least 3—rising to more than 6 when health cobenefits are included.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
- Global methane abatement yields large net global economic benefits.
- The benefit-cost ratio of methane action is at least 3—rising to more than 6 when health cobenefits are included.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Great work by our own team Canada, Kowan O'Keefe and Xavier Nelson-Rowntree. They show how Canada can overachieve their 2035 NDC ("Mod Amb"), but also discuss in detail the political difficulties, and crucial impact of whether regulation changes favor fossils or mitigation technologies. 1/2
October 31, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Great work by our own team Canada, Kowan O'Keefe and Xavier Nelson-Rowntree. They show how Canada can overachieve their 2035 NDC ("Mod Amb"), but also discuss in detail the political difficulties, and crucial impact of whether regulation changes favor fossils or mitigation technologies. 1/2
Nice to hear someone take these loser actions, signs of incredible weakness rather than strength with humor...probably an attitude that can be helpful for many of us
“Books and all forms of writing are terror to those who wish to suppress the truth.” - Wole Soyinka
Keep writing, keep reading, keep speaking, keep protesting. These are our hard won democratic rights.
@justprotest.bsky.social
Keep writing, keep reading, keep speaking, keep protesting. These are our hard won democratic rights.
@justprotest.bsky.social
Trump administration strips Nigerian Nobel winner Wole Soyinka of US visa
The first African author to win the Nobel in literature, Soyinka has been an outspoken critic of governments worldwide.
www.aljazeera.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Nice to hear someone take these loser actions, signs of incredible weakness rather than strength with humor...probably an attitude that can be helpful for many of us
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
A billionaire who thought we shouldn't give the poor free COVID vaccines, and hung out with Epstein, wrote some weird, vague stuff about how climate change "isn't that bad" and now the media is covering that rather than a record climate fueled hurricane.
The age of oligarchy sure is exhausting.
The age of oligarchy sure is exhausting.
October 28, 2025 at 7:24 PM
A billionaire who thought we shouldn't give the poor free COVID vaccines, and hung out with Epstein, wrote some weird, vague stuff about how climate change "isn't that bad" and now the media is covering that rather than a record climate fueled hurricane.
The age of oligarchy sure is exhausting.
The age of oligarchy sure is exhausting.
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
Climate change DEFINITELY affects hurricane:
STRENGTH: Warmer water is hurricane food
RAINFALL: Warm air holds more water vapor
SURGE: Warmer water expands, warmer ice melts, sea levels rise
PREDICTION: hotter seas mean faster intensification
STRENGTH: Warmer water is hurricane food
RAINFALL: Warm air holds more water vapor
SURGE: Warmer water expands, warmer ice melts, sea levels rise
PREDICTION: hotter seas mean faster intensification
October 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Climate change DEFINITELY affects hurricane:
STRENGTH: Warmer water is hurricane food
RAINFALL: Warm air holds more water vapor
SURGE: Warmer water expands, warmer ice melts, sea levels rise
PREDICTION: hotter seas mean faster intensification
STRENGTH: Warmer water is hurricane food
RAINFALL: Warm air holds more water vapor
SURGE: Warmer water expands, warmer ice melts, sea levels rise
PREDICTION: hotter seas mean faster intensification
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
The DOJ is investigating unusual NBA prop betting, but it seems to me that insider trading coming out of the White House is a much much bigger problem.
October 28, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The DOJ is investigating unusual NBA prop betting, but it seems to me that insider trading coming out of the White House is a much much bigger problem.
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
Carbon neutrality doesn’t always lead to decarbonization. But who is decarbonizing? We looked at >600 US colleges and universities and found 7 that have decarbonized direct (Scope 1) emissions by at least 50% (usually with ground source heat pump networks). This is possible folks! 1/6
October 27, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Carbon neutrality doesn’t always lead to decarbonization. But who is decarbonizing? We looked at >600 US colleges and universities and found 7 that have decarbonized direct (Scope 1) emissions by at least 50% (usually with ground source heat pump networks). This is possible folks! 1/6
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
As someone who will prob. spend the rest of this week on social media being the "decarbonize your scope 1 emissions" guy, I'll just share this figure from @carleton.edu and say that schools also need to look for impact via their scope 3 emissions.
On campus been working with our food service provider to understand new categories of emissions, from those we have long measured. Beef is such a big slice of food emissions. It’s been satisfying scale solution through networks (of the food provider) while students think about campus.
October 27, 2025 at 8:13 PM
As someone who will prob. spend the rest of this week on social media being the "decarbonize your scope 1 emissions" guy, I'll just share this figure from @carleton.edu and say that schools also need to look for impact via their scope 3 emissions.
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
I was recently invited to present my thoughts on the role of universities in the #climate crisis
Several audience members asked that I share my slides, so I've decided to post them here too as an open resource
I'd love any feedback, & for you to share examples of projects & best practice.
Long 🧵😊
Several audience members asked that I share my slides, so I've decided to post them here too as an open resource
I'd love any feedback, & for you to share examples of projects & best practice.
Long 🧵😊
October 26, 2025 at 4:57 AM
I was recently invited to present my thoughts on the role of universities in the #climate crisis
Several audience members asked that I share my slides, so I've decided to post them here too as an open resource
I'd love any feedback, & for you to share examples of projects & best practice.
Long 🧵😊
Several audience members asked that I share my slides, so I've decided to post them here too as an open resource
I'd love any feedback, & for you to share examples of projects & best practice.
Long 🧵😊
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
And welcome to Ecuador, new entrant on the page! 🥳
October 28, 2025 at 10:27 AM
And welcome to Ecuador, new entrant on the page! 🥳
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
📣 Today we have updated our summary of net zero targets across 40+ of the world's largest emitters. What do we see?
🛑 Ten years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the design of most net zero targets remains inadequate.
🔗 climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-n...
🛑 Ten years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the design of most net zero targets remains inadequate.
🔗 climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-n...
October 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM
📣 Today we have updated our summary of net zero targets across 40+ of the world's largest emitters. What do we see?
🛑 Ten years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the design of most net zero targets remains inadequate.
🔗 climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-n...
🛑 Ten years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the design of most net zero targets remains inadequate.
🔗 climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-n...
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
The last #G20 country setting a net zero target is Mexico, which announced its 2050 net zero target at COP29.
As of October 2025, however, Mexico, South Africa and Indonesia have not further substantiated scope & architecture of their targets, so our assessments remain ‘information incomplete’.
As of October 2025, however, Mexico, South Africa and Indonesia have not further substantiated scope & architecture of their targets, so our assessments remain ‘information incomplete’.
October 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM
The last #G20 country setting a net zero target is Mexico, which announced its 2050 net zero target at COP29.
As of October 2025, however, Mexico, South Africa and Indonesia have not further substantiated scope & architecture of their targets, so our assessments remain ‘information incomplete’.
As of October 2025, however, Mexico, South Africa and Indonesia have not further substantiated scope & architecture of their targets, so our assessments remain ‘information incomplete’.
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
Big tech firms are shutting down programs aimed at supporting women in STEM careers. Signaling once again that the spine of corporate America is as hollow as its pockets are deep.
www.cnn.com/2025/10/23/t...
www.cnn.com/2025/10/23/t...
‘Their history is just erased’: Google drops a key program for boosting women in tech | CNN Business
Google is offloading a key career resource program for supporting women in tech, another sign the search giant is unwinding its diversity programs following political pressure over diversity, equity a...
www.cnn.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Big tech firms are shutting down programs aimed at supporting women in STEM careers. Signaling once again that the spine of corporate America is as hollow as its pockets are deep.
www.cnn.com/2025/10/23/t...
www.cnn.com/2025/10/23/t...
Reposted by Christoph Bertram
That's a great report, and my favorite figure is Figure 3:
This visualizes well what we have achieved since Paris - phasing down/out coal in all but a handful of countries -, and what matters most in the next years 1) doing so in those remaining few countries & 2) starting phase-out of o&g 1/3
This visualizes well what we have achieved since Paris - phasing down/out coal in all but a handful of countries -, and what matters most in the next years 1) doing so in those remaining few countries & 2) starting phase-out of o&g 1/3
October 27, 2025 at 8:57 PM
That's a great report, and my favorite figure is Figure 3:
This visualizes well what we have achieved since Paris - phasing down/out coal in all but a handful of countries -, and what matters most in the next years 1) doing so in those remaining few countries & 2) starting phase-out of o&g 1/3
This visualizes well what we have achieved since Paris - phasing down/out coal in all but a handful of countries -, and what matters most in the next years 1) doing so in those remaining few countries & 2) starting phase-out of o&g 1/3