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Robert Westerdahl

Expert PartnerStockholm

Supports leading industrial clients with setting and achieving climate and circularity targets cost-effectively while driving business performance

Robert started his career at McKinsey in 2009. In 2016, he left McKinsey to cofound Material Economics with Per Klevnäs and Per-Anders Enkvist. They built a leading boutique consulting firm with 30 professionals focused on circularity and decarbonization strategy for the private sector, which was acquired by McKinsey in 2021.

Robert rejoined McKinsey through the acquisition of Material Economics and became an expert partner in sustainability in 2022, continuing to serve clients on decarbonization strategies and transformations.

He helps clients improve business performance while delivering on ambitious climate and circularity targets and works mainly with clients in advanced industries and manufacturing. His focus topics span the whole climate transformation journey for leading clients, developing climate strategies and setting targets, designing and driving decarbonization transformation programs, setting carbon pricing, and steering performance.

Prior to joining McKinsey, Robert worked at railway and public transport company MTR, where he led major business development initiatives, managed multibillion-kroner public transport bids, and shaped the strategy of MTR Nordic.

PUBLISHED WORK

Sustainable style: How fashion can reduce Tier 2 emissions,” McKinsey & Company, March 2025

Understanding the economic case for decarbonising cities,” Material Economics, 2020

Preserving value in EU industrial materials – A value perspective on the use of steel, plastics, and aluminium,” Material Economics, 2020

Framing stranded asset risks in an age of disruption,” Material Economics, 2018

EXPERIENCE

MTR Nordic
Business development director and head of strategy

EDUCATION

Linköping Institute of Technology; Stanford University
MSc, applied physics and electrical engineering