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OpenSCM Two Layer Model

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What OpenSCM Two Layer Model is

OpenSCM Two Layer Model is free software that runs simple, radiative-forcing-driven climate models through an API. It implements two-layer models associated with Held, Geoffroy, and Bloch-Johnson, and documents a mathematically equivalent two-timescale impulse-response model when state dependence is absent. The project describes its interface as clean, modularised, and extensible, with researchers and education among its intended uses. Scenario inputs may be ScmDataFrame, ScmRun, pyam.IamDataFrame, pandas DataFrame, NumPy array, or a string. Running a scenario returns an ScmRun containing results, including drivers. Timesteps must remain constant because the implementation uses a constant timestep. The package works offline and is installed with pip; the README lists scmdata and tqdm as dependencies. It is BSD 3-Clause licensed. Issues and feature requests are directed to GitHub. The model was used as a comparison point in Phase 1 of the Reduced Complexity Model Intercomparison Project.

Who it suits

It is aimed at climate researchers and education users who need an API-based simple climate model. Offline access also suits work without continuous connectivity.

What it does well

  • Free BSD 3-Clause software
  • API accepts several scientific data types
  • Returns results and drivers in ScmRun
  • Offline access supported
  • Modular, extensible interface

What to know first

  • Scenario timesteps must be constant
  • No lesson, authoring, or assessment tools
  • FaIR integration is only a documented possibility

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
Free softwareBSD 3-Clause licensed softwareFree

As openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

OpenSCM Two Layer Model offers a focused API for running established simple climate-model formulations. It fits research or teaching workflows that can keep scenario timesteps constant and manage its Python dependencies.

Facts from OpenSCM Two Layer Model's own pages

Assessment tools
No · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 23 Sept 2026
Authoring tools
No · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 23 Sept 2026
Delivery mode
desktop · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 23 Sept 2026
Free plan
Yes · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 23 Sept 2026
Installation
The repository README gives pip installation instructions and lists scmdata and tqdm as the package’s two dependencies. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Integration note
The documentation says FaIR implements a mathematically equivalent model under certain assumptions and expresses hope that this project could interface with FaIR; it does not state that an integration is available. · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Intended users
The interface is aimed at researchers and as an education tool. · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Interface
The project describes its interface as clean, modularised and extensible for a commonly used simple climate model. · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Lesson library
No · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 23 Sept 2026
License
The repository identifies the software as free software under the BSD 3-Clause License. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Model variants
The API documents a two-layer model and a mathematically equivalent two-timescale impulse-response model when state dependence is absent. · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Offline access
Yes · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 23 Sept 2026
Purpose
The package implements two-layer, radiative-forcing-driven climate models by Held et al., Geoffroy et al. and Bloch-Johnson et al. · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Research use
The model was used as a point of comparison in Phase 1 of the Reduced Complexity Model Intercomparison Project. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Scenario inputs
The scenario-running API accepts ScmDataFrame, ScmRun, pyam.IamDataFrame, pandas DataFrame, NumPy array or string inputs. · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Scenario outputs
The scenario-running API returns an ScmRun containing the results, including drivers. · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026
Support
The project directs users with issues or feature requests to its GitHub issue tracker. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
3D visuals
No · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 23 Sept 2026
Timestep constraint
Scenario timesteps must be constant because the implementation uses a constant timestep. · openscm-two-layer-model.readthedocs.io, 8 Oct 2026

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