Michel den Elzen

Michel den Elzen is a Visiting Professor (part-time) at the Department of Environmental Economics, Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He also serves as a Senior Climate Policy Analyst at PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. His work focuses on international climate policy, mitigation strategies, and integrated assessment modeling.

• PhD (1994): Maastricht University, Global Environmental Change
• MSc (1990): Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Mathematics

Research interests include Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), low-carbon transition pathways, and climate policy frameworks. He contributes to IPCC reports and coordinates EU climate policy analysis for DG CLIMA. His recent work addresses uncertainties in net-zero targets and geopolitical impacts on climate action.

Publications span over 115 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Nature Climate Change and Climatic Change. He serves on editorial boards for Environmental Science & Policy and Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change.