Mistra Geopolitics annual report 2021

The invasion of Ukraine, the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change places huge challenges on our society regarding smart and long-term decisions. The Mistra Geopolitics annual report 2021 highlights our cutting-edge research, contributing to increased foresight and action to achieving the SDG’s, the Glasgow Climate Pact and a sustainable development for all.

The invasion of Ukraine, Covid-19 and climate change

Björn-Ola Linnér, Programme Director of Mistra Geopolitics, Professor at Linköping University and SEI Affiliated Researcher, wrote in the foreword:

“Geopolitics, climate change and societal transformations toward decarbonization and resilience are tightly linked. This has been the rationale behind Mistra Geopolitics since we launched this research programme in 2017. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, our contributions to research and policy are painfully more relevant than ever.”

Annual report 2021 — Annual Report 2021/ Shutterstock.

Lena Ek, Chair of the Mistra Geopolitics Board, wrote in her introduction:

“Today, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and alarming reports from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it is increasingly significant. The work of our researchers and scientists has become more urgent and more needed. How will the present situation affect climate, food security, minerals, transport, human rights and human beings – today, and in the future? And how can we find answers to these pressing realities?”

Human security, geopolitics and sustainable development

A core ambition of Mistra Geopolitics is to provide research that can identify and strengthen the opportunities for peace and security and human security that can arise in the dynamics of a changing geopolitical landscape and the pursuit of sustainable development.

Mistra Geopolitics’ analyses of the interplay between geopolitical development and strategic environmental policy decisions are unique. Four themes will guide the program’s research 2021 to 2024, examining the geopolitics of:

Mistra Geopolitics Chair thanks scientists

Mistra Geopolitics Chair of the Board Lena Ek concluded,

“Thank you to all participating scientists and experts, research institutions, universities and partners who have contributed to the excellent work of the past year! The Board of Mistra Geopolitics hereby proudly presents the annual report of 2021 in the hope that the results achieved will take the world a few steps closer to fulfilling the SDGs.”

→ Read the Mistra Geopolitics annual report 2021

Featured

Linköping University

Professor Björn-Ola Linnér

Björn-Ola Linnér is the Deputy Programme Director of Mistra Geopolitics and Professor at the Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research at Linköping University. He analyses how the political processes and actors affect conditions for social changes towards sustainable development in different parts of the world. He has a long experience in research dialogues with various societal actors, such as the climate convention’s secretariat, governments, businesses and environmental organizations.

Södra

Lena Ek

Lena Ek is the chair of Södra, Sweden’s largest forest-owner association. She also served as Minister for the Environment from 2011 to 2014. Lena Ek is currently Chair of the Board of Mistra Geopolitics.

Contributing authors to the annual report 2021

Dr. Henrik Carlsen. — SEI
Henrik Carlsen

SEI

Henrik Carlsen

Henrik Carlsen is a Senior Research Fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and Programme Director of Mistra Geopolitics. Currently Dr. Henrik Carlsen is leading the Mistra Geopolitics research theme Foresight Capabilities and Emerging Technologies. He is an expert on decision making under uncertainty, with an emphasis on climate change adaptation. His research interests are based on the intersection between science and policy on long-term challenges to society.

Telephone:+46702677410

Uppsala University

Nina von Uexküll

Nina von Uexkull is Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University. Nina is leading the Mistra Geopolitics research theme Food Security in the second programme phase. Her main research areas are the impacts of climate change and natural hazards on armed conflict and human security.

Telephone:+4618-471 2357

LTH

André Manberger

André Manberger is researching how global metal flows for low carbon energy systems interact with security.

Email:andre.manberger@miljo.lth.se

Stockholm University

Niklas Bremberg

Niklas Bremberg is an Associate Senior Lecturer at Stockholm University. Niklas is leading the Research School of Mistra Geopolitics. His research includes international relations, European integration, security communities and communities of practice, EU foreign and security policy, international cooperation on climate-related security risks, Euro-Mediterranean relations, and Spanish politics.

Email:niklas.bremberg@statsvet.su.se

Stockholm University

Lisa Dellmuth

Lisa Dellmuth is a Professor of International Relations at Stockholm University. Lisa is leading the Research School of Mistra Geopolitics. Her research focuses on legitimacy and redistribution in global governance, and global climate change solutions. She leads the 5-year research program GlocalClim (Glocalizing Climate Governance: The role of Integrated Governance for a Just and Legitimate Adaptation to Climate Risks) funded by the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (Formas).

Telephone:+46 8 161 076

SEI

Maria Cole

Maria Cole is a Senior Communications and Impact Officer at Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) in Stockholm. Maria is the Communications Lead for Mistra Geopolitics and leads the work package on Communications and Stakeholder engagement.

Telephone:+46 70 224 20 22

SEI

Ylva Rylander

Ylva Rylander is the press contact for Mistra Geopolitics. Ylva is a Communications and Impact Officer at Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). As a core member of SEI’s communications team and previous Press Officer of SEI, Ylva writes and edits press releases and creates news stories. With over 15 years of experience in public relations, awareness raising and external communication, she also provides strategic advice to SEI and Mistra Geopolitics researchers to help them maximize the impact of their research.

Telephone:+4673 150 33 84

SEI

Karl Hallding

Karl Hallding worked as a senior research fellow at Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) for over 20 years, where he was a research leader in the global research directorate. His research dealt with the transformation of the energy system, with a specific analysis on how energy and climate policies affect this transformation. Karl Hallding is now employed by Vinnova.

Telephone:+46708409218