Senior Policy Fellow
Climate/environment, East Asia, Russia, innovation, geoeconomics
English, German, French, Swedish
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 a senior adviser at the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies (SIEPS) and an associate with the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP). He is the author of three 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.
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 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
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 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
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
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 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
If Europeans pull back on their climate obligations, they will endanger both their green agenda and their competitiveness
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 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
If Europeans pull back on their climate obligations, they will endanger both their green agenda and their competitiveness
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
The longer that Ankara delays Swedish membership of NATO, the harder it may become to sustain public support and prepare effective Baltic defence
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
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
The Swedish debate on membership of NATO has been reignited by the Russia-Ukraine crisis. But there are still many good reasons why Sweden should not join the alliance
The EU risks losing the confidence of developing nations when it comes to the green transition. But it can bridge this trust gap, if it takes action at COP26 and beyond
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…
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…
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
How can the EU and its member states seize the opportunity for a cohesive policy on green issues?
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
