Editor’s choice
Editor’s choice
Air pollution, climate, and environmental change are two of the biggest environmental threats impacting human health, food security, ecosystems, and livelihoods.
At the University of York, SEI’s Air Pollution, Climate, and Environmental Change research group (AQCEC) works to quantify these threats and develop solutions.
Exposure to air pollution, both outdoors and indoors, is a critical environmental risk to human health, leading to over 5 million deaths annually. Additionally, climate change has a significant impact on food security, human health, and ecosystems, disproportionately affecting the most disadvantaged groups in society. SEI York conducts evidence-based research to support national planning and enhance capacity in climate and air pollution mitigation.
The connection between air quality and climate change stems from shared sources of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, presenting a unique opportunity to develop strategies that mitigate climate change and aid in achieving the Paris Agreement while also providing local benefits for air pollution and human health.
SEI York conducts evidence-based research to support national planning and enhance capacity in climate and air pollution mitigation. By collaborating with the private sector, SEI York also tackles air pollution within value chains while prioritising social equity. We assist national planners, city officials, and private companies in assessing the impacts of air pollution and climate change at various levels across more than 30 countries. Researchers concentrate on building the capacity of national institutions and developing and applying appropriate emission mitigation assessment tools to support decision-making and enhance action to reduce both air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Our work evaluates emission mitigation strategies and models future scenarios, assessing their impact on health and contributing to Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, the AQCEC group investigates the effects of climate change on forests, agriculture, and peatland soils, utilizing direct measurements and modeling tools to understand ecosystem responses to environmental management and climate challenges in peatland soils.
Want to know more about SEI’s global expertise in air quality research? Head to our project pages to discover the breadth of our work around the world.
Feature / Nigeria’s private sector is driving transport decarbonization, turning climate ambition into action through capacity building, finance access and collaboration.
Press release / A new study reveals that 52% of the global drop in air pollution deaths (1990–2019) stems from improved healthcare and lower vulnerability.
Perspective / Nigeria’s green transport shift hinges on bankable projects, requiring stronger finance, data and inclusion to turn climate ambition into real, scalable impact.
Perspective / In this Asian Development Bank blog, Gary Haq argues that air pollution crosses borders in Asia, so countries must cooperate regionally to address it.
Perspective / Chris Malley argues that improvements in air quality and public health can offer motivation for increasing climate actions.
Perspective / The UK should shift from national, top-down retrofit schemes to locally led delivery, explains SEI’s Luke Gooding in an Inside Housing op-ed.
To read more stories from our air quality research, view more from our Perspectives and Features section.
Journal article / Sampling dominant Sphagnum moss from relatively flat positions in autumn or early winter offers a simple but effective strategy to gather testate amoebae.
Other publication / An FAO white paper finds that climate extremes drive agrifood crises, highlighting sustainable agrifood investments as key to climate adaptation.
Other publication / The 2025 methodology enables logistics companies to quantify air pollutant emissions across all major modes of transportation.
Journal article / Artificial light improves confidence in the measurement of ecosystem exchange rates under limited light conditions.
Journal article / Active moorland management can enhance nutrients in heather and cotton-grass, with benefits for birds, grazing animals and carbon uptake.
Journal article / These tiny microbial species could offer insights into the success of peatland management strategies.
To read more about our air quality research, view more from our publications section.
Project / Using international tools, this project models Ghana’s NDC actions to quantify health and economic benefits, helping prioritize policies with the highest impact
Project / Guatemala will develop a national SLCP plan outlining clear reduction actions, shaped through an inclusive stakeholder process and rigorous peer review.
Project / This project helps companies quantify, report, and reduce air pollutants across their value chain with tools and guidance to take meaningful climate action.
Project / The project boosts public–private collaboration to deliver inclusive climate and clean air transport initiatives in Nigeria.
Project / YPIP is a project that connects academics and policymakers in Yorkshire to create evidence-based policies for local communities.
Project / SEI provides scientific inputs and policy action advice to the World Bank Global Methane Reduction Platform for Development -CH4D
Project / SEI and CCAC support Brazil's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in developing a National Plan on SLCP to combat climate change and air pollution.
Project / We provide in-depth technical support to the Alliance secretariat and corporate members on value chain air pollution emissions reductions and target setting.
Project / SEI researchers and partners will create three assessments on economics, agriculture and food systems, and nitrous oxide to aid decision-making on SLCPs.
Project / The project supports the development of an Africa Clean Air Program continental roadmap and implementation plans.
Project / SEI at the University of York is collaborating with the City of York to develop a retrofit one-stop shop to help the city achieve its net zero goals.
Project / The project works with the Bogotá Environmental Agency to develop diverse pathways for air quality management.
Project / The project incorporates SLCPs and other air pollutants into the GLEC Framework on emissions tracking for businesses.
Project / This project investigates air pollutants inside homes in the city of Bradford, UK: their sources, interactions and health effects on those living there.
Project / On behalf of CCAC, UNEP is cooperating with SEI to support the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Kenya under SNAP.
Project / A scientifically robust and policy-relevant framework to identify and assess priority measures that maximize the multiple-benefits for air quality and climate.
Project / A citizen science project monitoring indoor air, created with and for UK schools.
Past event / This workshop provides the technical and financial expertise needed to turn ambitious goals into practical implementation for Nigeria's private sector.
Past event / This webinar explores how businesses in Nigeria can reduce emissions, become more competitive and access funding.
Past event / The FOCI webinar offers an overview of SLCFs, their sources, trends, mitigation, and benefits for climate and air quality.
Past event / Learn the key details of SEI’s participation in London Climate Action Week: who, what, when, and where.
Past event / Join SEI at Pint of Science festival in York, for engaging talks on water, uplands and sustainability.
Past event / Join global experts at Smart Freight Week for a panel discussion on incorporating air pollutant emissions into the Global Logistics Emissions Council Framework.
Past event / Jenniffer Pedraza is presenting her work developing emissions scenarios in Latin America and the Caribbean at this global atmospheric chemistry conference.
Past event / SEI's Kevin Hicks speaks at the 2024 Clean Air for blue skies webinar on incentives for green mobility in emerging economies in Africa.
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