Dr. h.c. Johan Kuylenstierna, IIASA Council member representing Sweden, has been awarded the H.M. The King's Medal (12th size, bright blue ribbon) in recognition of his significant contributions to sustainability and global environmental efforts.
This prestigious honor, awarded by His Majesty The King of Sweden, has been granted since 1800 and was originally known as the Court Medal, primarily given for long and faithful service at court. Since 1975, it has evolved to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society and the global scientific community.
Kuylenstierna, Director General of Formas, a Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development, which is also the Swedish member organization of IIASA, is a distinguished leader in the area of sustainability and climate policy with a career spanning academia, international organizations, consultancy, and advisory roles.
“I was both surprised and, of course, very honored by this recognition of my work. I felt particularly pleased that The King so strongly recognizes the importance of addressing environmental issues. None of the success I may have had in my career would have been possible without the close collaboration that I have had with people and organizations all over the world. IIASA is one of them, and I have been increasingly impressed by the outstanding quality of its scientific work, as well as its growing policy impact and role in science diplomacy,” said Kuylenstierna.
The Council Chair, Kazuhiko (Kazu) Takemoto, IIASA Director General, Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber, and IIASA Deputy Director General, Karen Lips, congratulated Kuylenstierna saying:
“On behalf of IIASA and the entire Council, we are delighted to celebrate this outstanding achievement. Dr. h.c. Kuylenstierna’s dedication to climate action and sustainability has made a profound impact on the global stage. His leadership and expertise have been invaluable to IIASA, and we are deeply honored to have him as a member of our Council. This recognition is not only a testament to his remarkable contributions, but also to the importance of international collaboration in tackling climate challenges. We look forward to his continued success and leadership in shaping a more sustainable future.”
Kuylenstierna will officially receive the medal at an award ceremony on Tuesday, 4 February 2025. IIASA extends its warmest congratulations and best wishes for this well-deserved recognition.
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