Bengt Kriström

Academic Background:

Natural Science Program, Nolaskolan, Örnsköldsvik (1979)
M.Sc. Business and Economics (Civilekonom), Umeå University (1984)
Licentiate of Philosophy (FL), Forest Economics, SLU-Umeå (1989)
Ph.D., Economics (Nationalekonomi), Umeå University (1990)
Associate Professor (Docent), Umeå School of Business and Economics (1993)
Professor of Natural Resource Economics, SLU-Umeå (1994–Present)

Focus and Expertise:

My professorship is primarily dedicated to developing methods for monetary valuation of the value of forest resources, in a broa perspective. My doctoral thesis provided a socio-economic analysis of preserving old-growth forest. We have since developed this methodology and applied it to complex socio-economic questions such as:

Should the Finland ferries be relocated to Norrtälje harbor?
Should Bromma Airport be closed down?
Is it socio-economically beneficial to re-regulate the Dönje hydropower plant (Bollnäs) if it means less electricity but more biodiversity?
Who gained and who lost from the Swedish electricity certificate system?
How to identify the societal costs (and revenues) of the urban transformation in Kiruna?
Is H2 Green Steel (Stegra, Boden) a socio-economically profitable investment?

1. Valuation of Non-Market Goods (The "Priceless"): My research involves developing methods to measure values not captured by the market, yet crucial for welfare. Forests provide numerous services, such as ecosystem services, which rarely or never have a price. By "valuing the invaluable," we can achieve a more robust decision-making basis regarding the optimal use of our forest resource. The most significant contribution here is a methodology known as "the Kriström Estimator." I have also collaborated with statisticians, psychologists, and natural scientists to develop valuation methods.

2. Socio-Economic Profitability Assessment and Methodology (General Equilibrium): A second research area concerns socio-economic profitability assessments and the methodology for conducting them from a comprehensive, holistic perspective, which economists call a General Equilibrium Perspective. For instance, an investment in a steel plant in Boden generates many on other markets and a key question is how to correctly account for these in the calculation. We have authored several books and articles on this subject (see CV below).

3. General Equilibrium Modeling: A third research area is General Equilibrium Modeling, where mathematical models are used to describe an economy, often the Swedish one. Our model has a global database, allowing us to examine, for example, how a change in U.S. climate policy affects Swedish competitiveness. We have used the model to shed light on so-called "Sweden-prices" for electricity. These prices imply a lower rate for domestic consumption and a higher rate for importers of Swedish electricity, thereby protecting Swedish producers and consumers from high prices that would otherwise be smoothed out across the European electricity market.

I have primarily taught Microeconomics, Environmental Economics, Socio-Economic Cost-Benefit Analysis, and Valuation Methods at the university level.

have taught at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels at:

Gothenburg University
Hanken School of Economics
Åbo Akademi University
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Stockholm School of Economics
University of Helsinki
Umeå University
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
ULPGC, Las Palmas
SLU-Umeå

I have consulted for several international organizations, including the International Development Bank (IDB), European Investment Bank (EIB), and the OECD. I have also consulted for Swedish organizations such as the Swedish National Audit Office (Riksrevisionen), the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF), the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (Hav och Vatten), and the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket). I have participated as an expert/contributor in several government official reports (SOU), for example:

SOU 1990:59 (Environmental Fees Inquiry, Expert)
SOU 1991:37 (Environmental Accounting Inquiry, Assistant Secretary)
SOU 1997:11 (Tax Shift Inquiry, Assistant Secretary)
SOU 2004:45 (Appendix Author)
I am also a member of the Scientific Advisory Council for the Swedish National Institute of Economic Research (KI) and the Scientific Advisory Council for the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket).

Head of Department, Department of Forest Economics (2001–2009, 2010–2016)
Director, Centre for Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (2009–2020)
Board/Committee Member:

Price and Award Committee (SLU-Umeå)
Faculty Appointments Board (Lärarförslagsnämnden) (SLU-Umeå)
Committee for Handling Issues of Good Research Practice (SLU-Umeå)
The Royal Skyttean Society (Skytteanska Samfundet)
Vindel River-Juktån Biosphere Reserve (Biosfär Vindelälven Juthatdakka)
 

Offentliga Uppdrag (Public Appointments)
 

Member, Council for Undergraduate Education (Grundutbildningsrådet), Ministry of Education (1994–1997)
Chair, Expert Group for Environmental Studies, Ministry of Finance (2007–2012)
Member, Finance Delegation, Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (2011–2013)
Member, Commission for Sustainable Development, Sustainability Delegation (2007–2009)

CV