Axel E. Eriksson

Axel E. Eriksson is conducting a PhD in Biology at the University of Lisbon starting in 2025 within the SystEco - System Ecology. He is conducting the project "Integrating Nature in World-Earth Modelling for Transformative Change Scenarios", under the supervision of Alexandre C. Köberle, PhD (Instituto Dom Luiz, Faculty of Science, University of Lisbon); Cristina Branquinho, PhD (CE3C, Faculty of Science, University of Lisbon); and David Collste, PhD (Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University).

His project focuses on desirable futures for people and nature, and how to make scenarios that lead there. For this, he leverages the Nature Futures Framework to conceptualise and quantify the diverse ways in which people value nature using indicators across geographical scales and value dimensions. In addition, he applies the FRIDA global system dynamics model to generate scenarios of societal development within planetary boundaries, towards harmony with nature. Throughout his research, he incorporates engagements with relevant actors in multilateral environmental negotiations, national environmental policy and sustainability practice in civil society as well as the private sector.

In addition, Axel is one of 14 members of UN Secretary-General António Guterres' Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change 2025-2026 and the UN Youth Delegate on biodiversity and climate of the European Economic and Social Committee 2026. As the Training Manager of the Climate Youth Negotiator Programme 2024-2025, he contributed to capacity building and other support for over 500 young people from over 75 countries to represent their governments in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). He is a former Swedish UN Youth Delegate on climate and environment (2022-2023), and has served in the Steering Committee (2023-2025), European coordination team (2022-2025) and Policy Team (2024-2025) of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network and as COP29 Strategy Project Lead of Generation Climate Europe (2024-2025).