– I am very pleased and feel that this aligns perfectly with how I want to work – in close collaboration with society and with the hope that my research can make a difference. Additionally, I learn a great deal through collaboration and can gain insights into the knowledge that is in demand, which is inspiring, says Mathias Fridahl.
The role of the Climate Policy Council
– The council serves as a crucial alarm function when needed, but its critical perspective is also constructive. It highlights areas with significant potential for development.
Mathias Fridahl has been nominated alongside Anna-Maria Jönsson, Professor at Lund University, and Camilla Sandström, Professor at Umeå University. They will assume their roles on 1 July 2025, replacing the current members Elin Lerum Boasson, Henrik Smith, and Viktoria Wibeck, whose terms expire on 30 June 2025.
The Climate Policy Council is part of Sweden's climate policy framework. To strengthen the council's independence from the government, the council itself proposes new members, while the final decision is made by the government. Members are appointed for a fixed term, usually no longer than three consecutive years, ensuring regular renewal of the council.
The contribution of research
Mathias Fridahl's background and expertise in political processes and policy instruments can be an asset to the council's work.
– My research primarily focuses on political processes and the design of effective policy instruments, which is directly beneficial for the council. However, I always strive to anchor my research in multiple perspectives. My broad interdisciplinary background can hopefully be used to analyse connections between different relevant areas, whether it involves links between scientific disciplines or various societal perspectives, says Mathias Fridahl.
Priorities in climate policy
When asked what policymakers can do to strengthen climate efforts, Mathias Fridahl emphasises the importance of clear priorities and shifting the focus from whether the transition should happen to how it should be implemented:
– Our elected representatives need to design policies that enable us to reach climate targets. This involves prioritising both simple measures with significant and immediate effects and tackling more complex challenges that take longer to address. The fact that the climate transition is inevitable also presents a fantastic opportunity to shape the societies of the future.
