Mistra Geopolitics in Brussels - bridging science and policy

A delegation from the research programme Mistra Geopolitics has recently been in Brussels taking part in several meetings with representatives from NATO, the European Commission and the European Parliament. Mistra Geopolitic’s research is in high demand in times of geopolitical turbulence.

In April, a delegation of eleven people from Mistra Geopolitics went to Brussels. The purpose of the trip was to present the programme and make sure that our analysis and results are relevant for decision-makers at the EU-level. The meetings in Brussel gave valuable contacts and input on needs and new perspectives that enables us to contribute with current analysis and formulate the programmes continued research.

Mistra Geopolitics’ research programme is unique in being the single largest programme entirely focusing on the interactions between geopolitics, security and climate change.

Mistra Geopolitics in Brussels. — Delegation in Brussels. Photo: Mistra Geopolitics.

The delegation from the left: Caroline Ankarcrona, Thomas Nilsson, Robert Egnell, Niklas Bremberg, Ambassador Annika Markovic, Björn-Ola Linnér, Maria Cole, André Månberger, Therese Bennicht and Henrik Carlsen. Photo by Mistra Geopolitics.

“The interest in the research program is great. The current war and crisis we are facing in the international community and the world economy, show how important it is that these issues are studied and that potential hotspots are identified. We are well equipped to deliver knowledge in this space,” said Björn-Ola Linnér, Programme Director of Mistra Geopolitics and Professor at Linköping University.

The packed Brussel agenda included meetings with the ambassador of Sweden’s delegation to NATO, the European Commission’s Vice President Frans Timmerman’s cabinet and the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU, along with meetings with members of the European Parliament. A seminar on food security and raw materials at Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) were also held.

Timely input from our research on the consequences of the war in Ukraine

Much of the discussion in Brussels revolved around security policy and the EU green deal in relation to the different countries’ adaptations, the ambitions in the Paris Agreement, and climate adaptation.

The war in Ukraine was at the centre of the discussions and we could see a special interest in the Mistra Geopolitics research themes on Food security and Decarbonization and rare metals.

It was also apparent that the Russia’s war against Ukraine is accelerating the pace of the transition from fossil fuels within the EU. The desire to become independent of Russian oil and gas gives a whole new impetus to the work on the green deal that the EU has pursued for several years.

“From our Brussels meetings we can conclude that foresight capabilities and the ability to deliver policy relevant input is an area that is high in demand,” said Henrik Carlsen, Co- Director of Mistra Geopolitics and Senior Research Fellow at SEI.

The Mistra Geopolitics research theme Foresight Capabilities and Emerging Technologies — focusing on future-oriented perspectives on geopolitics and sustainable development — plays right into this demand.

→ Watch film about the Mistra Geopolitics programme

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Linköping University

Professor Björn-Ola Linnér

Björn-Ola Linnér is the 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.

SEI

Henrik Carlsen

Henrik Carlsen is a senior research fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and Deputy Programme Director of Mistra Geopolitics. 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. Henrik is a researcher in Work Package 4; The inter-relationships between shifting geopolitical landscapes and the SDGs.

Telephone:+46702677410

For further information, please contact:

SEI

Maria Cole

Maria Cole is a Senior Communications Officer at Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) based in Stockholm.

Telephone:+46 70 224 20 22

SEI

Ylva Rylander

Ylva Rylander is a Communications Officer at SEI. As a core member of SEI’s communications team and previous Press Officer of SEI, Ylva writes and edits press releases, develops communication plans and creates news stories. With 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

News text written by Maria Cole, Communications Lead of Mistra Geopolitics, SEI. Edited by Ylva Rylander, Communications Officer, SEI.