14 Mar
Warsaw European Conversation
Polityka Insight and ECFR invite you to join us for the livestream of this year’s Warsaw European Conversation. At Polityka Insight and ECFR, we believe there is…
Experts & Staff
Mats Engström
Senior Policy Fellow
Areas of expertise
Climate/environment, East Asia, Russia, innovation, geoeconomics
Languages
English, German, French, Swedish
Biography
Mats Engström is a senior policy fellow and an analyst and writer based in Stockholm. He has been involved in EU policymaking and analysis since the 1980s, including as deputy state secretary at the Swedish Ministry for the Environment and as a political adviser to a foreign minister. In the latter capacity, his responsibilities included EU policy, security policy, and relations with Russia.
Mats Engström has also been, inter alia, editor-in-chief of the leading Swedish technology magazine Ny Teknik, and science and innovation counsellor at the Swedish embassy in Tokyo. As well as being a visiting fellow at ECFR, he is also an associate with the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP). He is the author of four books and, in addition to Swedish media, his articles have been published in several international magazines. He holds an MSc in engineering physics and a degree in journalism.
Von der Leyen needs to be decisive on the EU’s climate action course
The EU could remain a global leader on climate action. But for this to happen, Ursula von der Leyen needs to commit to transparency in green policymaking
The EU’s Competitiveness Compass needs funding and ambitious legislation to work
While Donald Trump’s second administration turns its back on climate action, Europeans can gain a competitive advantage through funding and developing low-carbon technologies. This requires targeted income, specific skills and clear guidelines
Green team: Von der Leyen holds the future of Europe’s climate policy in her hands
With a new European Commission comes a new climate team. Together, they must overcome internal concerns over ideology and external pressures on regulation to enact large-scale change
Eco-nomics: A green industrial policy for the next European Commission
The EU cannot afford to stay divided on its green industrial policy. Instead, the next European Commission should spearhead a common and credible approach to ensure the bloc catches the next green technology wave
Winds of change: The EU’s green agenda after the European Parliament election
After the European Parliament election, the incoming EU institutions will likely prioritise security and competitiveness, complicating the path to climate action. Climate progressives will need compelling narratives, strategic resourcing, and diplomatic engagement to advance the best possible climate agenda over the next five years
The good COP: Why Europe’s climate leadership starts at home
The EU’s role as a global climate leader was on full display at COP28. It will only be able to maintain this leadership if it can uphold support for its climate policies back home
Ends of the earth: How EU climate action can weather the coming election storm
In the run-up to a busy election year in Europe, there is a clear risk of a backlash against climate action. European policymakers need to emphasise the benefits of climate action to voters and update their policy instruments to the changing circumstances to keep the European Green Deal on course
28 Sep
Powering the future: Charting Europe’s climate and energy sovereignty
Referring to it as “our answer to the call of history”, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen lauded the achievements of the European Green…
The BRICS summit and Europe’s China challenge: A better EU offer for the global south
The EU and its member states have not kept pace with China’s advancing investment in global south states. Leaders’ messages from this year’s BRICS summit should prompt Europeans to upgrade their offer
Publications
Eco-nomics: A green industrial policy for the next European Commission
The EU cannot afford to stay divided on its green industrial policy. Instead, the next European Commission should spearhead a common and credible approach to ensure the bloc catches the next green technology wave
Winds of change: The EU’s green agenda after the European Parliament election
After the European Parliament election, the incoming EU institutions will likely prioritise security and competitiveness, complicating the path to climate action. Climate progressives will need compelling narratives, strategic resourcing, and diplomatic engagement to advance the best possible climate agenda over the next five years
Ends of the earth: How EU climate action can weather the coming election storm
In the run-up to a busy election year in Europe, there is a clear risk of a backlash against climate action. European policymakers need to emphasise the benefits of climate action to voters and update their policy instruments to the changing circumstances to keep the European Green Deal on course
Decarbonisation nations: How EU climate diplomacy can save the world
The EU’s status as a global leader on decarbonisation is in uncertain territory. It needs a new approach to climate diplomacy, centred in a broader political and economic relationship with its partners worldwide
We’ll always have Paris: How to adapt multilateral climate cooperation to new realities
Geopolitical tensions are hindering progress in multilateral climate cooperation. The EU should continue to supplement negotiations under the UN climate convention with smaller initiatives that bring together like-minded, ambitious partners
Climate of cooperation: How the EU can help deliver a green grand bargain
The bloc should reframe the international debate on energy security to focus on clean energy resources and efficiency, engaging in the market reforms needed to incentivise this shift
Articles
Von der Leyen needs to be decisive on the EU’s climate action course
The EU could remain a global leader on climate action. But for this to happen, Ursula von der Leyen needs to commit to transparency in green policymaking
The EU’s Competitiveness Compass needs funding and ambitious legislation to work
While Donald Trump’s second administration turns its back on climate action, Europeans can gain a competitive advantage through funding and developing low-carbon technologies. This requires targeted income, specific skills and clear guidelines
Green team: Von der Leyen holds the future of Europe’s climate policy in her hands
With a new European Commission comes a new climate team. Together, they must overcome internal concerns over ideology and external pressures on regulation to enact large-scale change
The good COP: Why Europe’s climate leadership starts at home
The EU’s role as a global climate leader was on full display at COP28. It will only be able to maintain this leadership if it can uphold support for its climate policies back home
The BRICS summit and Europe’s China challenge: A better EU offer for the global south
The EU and its member states have not kept pace with China’s advancing investment in global south states. Leaders’ messages from this year’s BRICS summit should prompt Europeans to upgrade their offer
Competitive climate: How the EU’s green agenda can protect the environment and economy
If Europeans pull back on their climate obligations, they will endanger both their green agenda and their competitiveness
Multilateral climate: How Europeans can cure planet Earth’s blues
The EU still needs traditional multilateral forums to fight climate change. But it also needs to strengthen its efforts to build coalitions and form alliances with key states – especially in the global south
Baltic defence: Why NATO should persuade Turkey to admit Sweden
The longer that Ankara delays Swedish membership of NATO, the harder it may become to sustain public support and prepare effective Baltic defence
Adapting ally: Sweden’s bid for NATO membership
NATO membership would be a historic step for Sweden. But it would also create new challenges in areas such as nuclear planning and missile defence
Efficient influence: Energy initiatives for a geopolitical Europe
Initiatives to improve energy efficiency can reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels. They can also help increase the union’s influence in the global south
Events
14 Mar
Warsaw European Conversation
Polityka Insight and ECFR invite you to join us for the livestream of this year’s Warsaw European Conversation. At Polityka Insight and ECFR, we believe there is…
28 Sep
Powering the future: Charting Europe’s climate and energy sovereignty
Referring to it as “our answer to the call of history”, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen lauded the achievements of the European Green…
4 May
Climate Diplomacy: Designed to Deliver?
Against a backdrop of worldwide concern about energy and food insecurity in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, COP27 took place, bringing attention to…
31 Oct
A new climate for peace? How Europe can reconcile energy and climate security
Cinzia Bianco, Mats Engström and Anthony Dworkin were in conversation with Susi Dennison to hear how Europe can best meet its energy security interests all the while preserving its credibility as a climate superpower
13 Oct
From Milan towards Glasgow: for a Green Geopolitical Europe?
How can the EU and its member states seize the opportunity for a cohesive policy on green issues?
In the media
Mats Engström on Europe failing to meet it’s climate plan
Mats Engström on the future of batterymaker Northvolt
Interdependence is a defining feature of today’s world. The European Union cannot become green and competitive on its own
Mats Engström on the EU´s green agenda and economic competition
Mats Engström on the green energy transition in Poland
Mats Engström on climate policy and the EU climate emissions target