I wouldn't say it's tied to revenue but I would say they simply give a bit more when that route is making lots of money. I am not sure 2 extra points on CTS or GUM really gives it's real value in terms of the price CI charged, but if it makes you feel better, then it worked.

Though, I do want to point out that CI is selling really expensive on routes to Australia in comparison to USA these days (given the duration) and they are getting the shaft cause there is no competition except BNE.

If you were few thousands short then I guess you were the ones that fly exclusively CI on both regional and long haul, but not often enough to reach 20 segments or enough long haul. There must be some target audience that will fit in this criteria but I must say in general the change is negative for 90% of the customers. Gold is not hard for me by my flying pattern but Emerald will not be reachable unless I make extra efforts to fly (which I will then just fly enough to keep Gold since I don't use Skyteam very often besides CI, and put my other flights elsewhere).

The logic of rewarding premium passengers under this scheme doesn't make any sense to me cause business class pax already get pretty much everything Gold can offer, except an extra bag (which they often don't need). I do understand CI wants to award CI pax by lowering Skyteam partner points, though.