Bo Kjellén is an SEI Associate in Stockholm.  He worked at SEI as a senior research fellow from 2004-2012, as a member of the global research group on climate change.

He contributes to project development, mentors colleagues, and gives frequent lectures on subjects related to sustainable development, climate issues, desertification and multilateral cooperation. He is also a prolific author on the topic of climate negotiations, policy and diplomacy, writing for peer-reviewed journals and the press. His latest book, A new diplomacy for sustainable development: The challenge of global change, was published by Routledge in 2008.

A 1956 graduate of Stockholm University, he joined the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1957, where he served as chef de cabinet to the Secretary-General of the OECD (1969-1972); deputy head of mission to the EU Delegation in Brussels (1972-1974); Ambassador to Hanoi (1974-1977); head of the Multilateral Cooperation Department (1981-1985); under-secretary for Administration and Personnel (1981-1985); and Ambassador to the OECD and UNESCO (1985-1990).

From 1990 to 1998, he served as chief negotiator for the Swedish Ministry of Environment. In this capacity, he led the Swedish delegation through preparations for the Rio Conference in 1992, the Conference itself, and its aftermath. He also led Swedish delegations to UN climate change negotiations from the beginning until his retirement in October 2001. During this time, he co-chaired several international negotiating groups. He also chaired the EU Working Party on Climate during the Swedish EU Presidency in 2001. He continues to serve as an adviser to the Ministry of Environment.

Ambassador Kjellén has also served as chairman of the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (2001-2004); co-chairman of the Steering Committee for the European Climate Platform (2005-2011); and co-chairman of the Advisory Committee for the European Capacity Building Initiative (since 2005).

He has received four honorary doctorates: from Silsoe College, Cranfield University, UK (1997, science); Gothenburg University (1999, philosophy); Mälardalen University (2005, technology), and Stockholm University (2011, law).


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Publications

• A Time of Transition: Why Lamenting the Lack of Political Will at COP18 Misses the Point (Discussion Brief - 2013)

• Socio-Economic Research in Support of Climate Policy Development: Mistra’s Research Program Clipore (Journal article - 2012)

• Climate Conundrum: Could a Transitional Agreement Offer a Way Out? (Journal article - 2011)

• The Bali roadmap and North-South cooperation: the right to development in a climate-constrained world (Journal article - 2009)

• Justice in global environmental negotiations (Book chapter - 2009)

• Is the United Nations up to the challenge? (Journal article - 2009)

• Adaptation as a Strategic Issue in the Climate Negotiations (Book chapter - 2008)

• Linking Measurable, Reportable and Verifiable Mitigation Actions by Developing Countries to Measurable, Reportable and Verifiable Financial and Technical Support by Developed Countries: (Paper - 2008)

• Adaptation: Needs, Financing and Institutions (Paper - 2008)

• Positive Incentives for Climate Change Action: Some Reflections (Report - 2008)

Complete list of publications »