Filip Johnsson new member of The Climate Policy Council

The Climate Policy Council is an independent, interdisciplinary expert body tasked with evaluating how well the Government’s overall policy is aligned with the climate goal of no net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Members are appointed for three years. 

Filip Johnsson is one of Sweden's most prominent researchers in the field of sustainable energy systems and has played an important role as an expert in the Swedish energy debate for many years – a work for which he received the Åforsk Foundation's annual prize for "outstanding knowledge dissemination" in 2021.

Filip is programme manager for the research programme Mistra Electrification, working to accelerate a fair and sustainable energy transition. He is also deputy programme manager in the research programme Mistra Carbon Exit, which examines Sweden's technical, economic and political challenges towards zero emissions.

Filip, what knowledge and which perspectives will you bring to the council?

"One thing I hope to highlight is that Sweden actually has among Europe's best opportunities for achieving an energy transition, especially when it comes to electrification. We already have an almost carbon dioxide-free electricity system, very large potential for onshore and offshore wind power and a net electricity export over the year. We also have industries that are far ahead both in electrification and in terms of the development and production of new technologies for the electricity system of the future. In the long term, nuclear power – where there is a renewed interest – may of course also be relevant. I hope to highlight these aspects in a constructive way." 

How will research results from Mistra Electrification and Mistra Carbon Exit be useful in your new role?

"The timinig for both of these research programmes is spot on. The research within these two programmes is both about the electrification of industry and transport, which is a very hot topic, and about how the industry can rearrange its value chains, with regards to emissions both upstream and downstream of the impact of its own operations. But perhaps the most important thing is that the Mistra programs are interdisciplinary, which has given me a broad picture of the opportunities and challenges that exist in climate change. I hope that can come in handy in my work in the council".

What are you looking forward to?

"One thing is that I find it very stimulating to be part of a group of researchers with different scientific backgrounds who gather around a common question. It provides breadth while gaining an insight into the different perspectives that need to be taken into account in order to understand the challenges and opportunities that arise for different technologies and policy instruments", concludes Filip Johnsson.

More information: 

In connection with the appointment of Filip Johnsson, the current member Olof Johansson Stenman, professor of economics at the School of Economics, University of Gothenburg, also took his place as the new vice chairman.

"We welcome Filip Johnsson as a new member of the council, he will contribute important knowledge to the council's work. In the new role as vice chairman, Olof Johansson Stenman's competence and background will come in handy and be of great benefit. I am very satisfied that the council is again full and that we can now fully focus on our mission", says Åsa Persson, chairman of the Climate Policy Council.

Read more about the Climate Policy Council. 

Read more about Mistra Eletrification. 

Read more about Mistra Carbon Exit. 

Photos: Anna-Lena Lundqvist

Parts of the text was first published in Swedish on the Mistra website.