Editor’s choice
Editor’s choice
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Bookmark this page for expert analysis, research and details of SEI engagements at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The page will be updated continuously throughout the conference.
The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is hosted by the Government of Brazil between 10–21 November 2025 and will be held in the city of Belém, Brazil’s gateway to the Amazon. A Heads of State Summit will take place on 6–7 November ahead of the main conference.
Delegates will discuss a range of priority issues, while remaining countries are expected to submit their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – setting out their commitments to accelerate climate action.
Your source for updates on SEI’s participation in the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Belém, Brazil.
Past event / Discover how SEI experts are advancing global climate goals through events, collaboration and action.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are catalysts for achieving the Paris Agreement – setting out country commitments to accelerate climate action. Outstanding NDCs are expected to be submitted to the UNFCCC during COP30; however, what happens after to transform these commitments into action and advance pathways for mitigation, adaptation and resilience will be the true test of their robustness.
Perspective / SEI experts detail how Latin American cooperation with the EU can boost its efforts to cut methane emissions, which cause powerful and rapid global heating.
Collection / SEI supports NDCs 3.0 with cutting-edge tools and insights for ambitious, science-based climate action plans in 2025 and beyond.
SEI report / The authors propose ways to transform voluntary net zero commitments into ground rules for the economy overall.
SEI report / Integrating sanitation considerations into national climate policies is not just necessary but urgent, as is integrating climate into sanitation frameworks.
Other publication / This report aims to support government officials, tasked with identifying, evaluating and implementing climate and sustainable development plans and policies.
Other publication / Read a scenario analysis of potential demand for renewable electricity and renewable hydrogen in the EU's green iron and steel transition.
Tool / Analyse and compare how climate actions correspond to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Tool / The Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) is a powerful, versatile system for energy planning and climate change mitigation assessment.
Tool / The Water Evaluation and Adaptation Planning tool (WEAP) provides a comprehensive and user-friendly framework for policy analysis in water resources planning.
COP30 is a key moment for the adaptation and resilience agenda, where the architecture for the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) – including 100 indicators – is set to be agreed, ten years after the Paris Agreement. This special focus will define how progress towards the GGA is tracked, helping to shape what gets counted, measured and financed as adaptation in the years ahead.
Feature / Your guide to understanding the key issues expected to dominate the agenda at this year's COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
Feature / The ARA, a global collaborative effort hosted by SEI and Chulalongkorn University, has been working to ensure research serves those on the climate frontline.
Feature / Newcomers and experienced actors working on locally led adaptation need more rigorous evidence and collaboration.
Perspective / This perspective offers five insights that emerged from the launch of the MACC Hub, an initiative to help the UK adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Perspective / In ASEAN, empowering youth to foster a circular mindset is critical for a sustainable future.
Perspective / Katy Harris and Richard J.T. Klein argue that COP29 made modest gains, like the Baku Adaptation Road Map, but lacked the ambition needed for real progress.
SEI brief / This brief informs adaptation financiers, the broader community of adaptation scholars, and practitioners in their efforts to scale up support for LLA.
Journal article / Identifying where EU adaptation can reduce systemic climate risks using stakeholder-informed network analysis from the CASCADES project.
SEI brief / Climate field schools based in ecosystem-based adaptation principles can help strengthen farmers' livelihoods and enhance climate resilience and sustainability.
SEI report / This report presents insights from climate field schools carried out in Indonesia to educate coffee farmers on ecosystem-based adaptation.
Other publication / Identifying the climate risks and impacts on the Ifugao and Balinese ricescapes to recognise their intangible cultural heritage.
Tool / weADAPT is SEI's pioneering, user-led platform and network for climate change adaptation.
The Amazon stands as a global epicentre of practices and innovations for just transitions. SEI experts at COP30 will emphasize the co-benefits between tackling deforestation and advancing climate action, with an approach to integrated and sustainable value chains in the Amazon region and beyond. Experts will showcase how the bioeconomy offers integrated solutions to address both the climate and biodiversity crises.
Press release / Protecting and restoring forests is crucial to boosting climate-resilient agriculture, rural livelihoods and global food and water security.
Perspective / This perspective offers insights about how forests and trees benefit the agricultural sector. It argues that policymakers should act to leverage these benefits.
Feature / Over the past 10 years, Trase has become a globally recognized source of data and intelligence for addressing deforestation in global supply chains.
SEI podcast / Explore transformative land use solutions in this "Currents in sustainability" podcast featuring Irene Suárez Pérez and SEI experts.
Feature / This International Day of Forests, SEI shares four insights into how forests support food security, climate resilience and sustainable cities.
Feature / The workshop aimed to formulate strategic roadmaps for priority bioeconomy clusters as part of a B2B matchmaking initiative with Swedish enterprises.
Media coverage / Stockholm Environment Institute’s Africa centre (SEI-Africa) has embarked on a process of identifying small and micro enterprises in Kenya’s bioeconomy sector
SEI working paper / This working paper analyses bioeconomy strategies and implementation at the subnational, national and regional levels in Colombia, Thailand and East Africa.
SEI working paper / The authors distil useful insights regarding sustainable use of bioresources and their transformation into bio-based products in this working paper.
Other publication / The chapter explores how stakeholder visions, resources, and regional cooperation shape bioeconomy policies and governance across different regions.
SEI brief / The innovation system of a catnip plant-based mosquito repellent developed to fight malaria in eastern Africa relied on local initiatives and entrepreneurship.
Journal article / By proposing a unified framework for classifying deforestation metrics, this article aims to provide clarity and consistency in sustainability reporting.
SEI brief / This policy brief details how Colombia's efforts to reduce deforestation can conflict with other environmental policies and goals, such as the 2030 Agenda.
A transition in energy, industry and transport is essential to support the mitigation agenda at COP30. SEI expertise contributes to a range of engagements focused on emissions reductions, carbon pricing and addressing carbon inequality.
Perspective / SEI experts detail how Latin American cooperation with the EU can boost its efforts to cut methane emissions, which cause powerful and rapid global heating.
Perspective / SEI calls for a just, human-centred transport transition as COP30 launches the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport.
Feature / An SEI program is strengthening Wayuu capacity to advocate for their interests in wind energy project development and related infrastructure.
Feature / SEI researchers trained Thai energy planners in LEAP and NEMO as part of the country's efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065.
Perspective / The Spanish blackout shows Europe’s energy transition needs urgent grid investment, smarter technology and stronger resilience to avoid future failures.
Perspective / SEI's Stefan Bößner and Huiling Zhu discuss the implications of their work on AI-supported analysis of energy transition policies in China and Southeast Asia.
Perspective / Gridless Solutions initiative researchers share insights from a recent study of two firms in Kenya, plus recommendations for companies, governments and donors.
Perspective / A truly equitable shift to a green energy system must also guarantee gender justice, SEI authors argue.
Perspective / Fossil fuel narratives in Colombia and Nigeria reveal tensions between climate goals and economic priorities.
Feature / Every year, Climate Week in New York unites key stakeholders from government, business and civil society, all committed to tackle the climate crisis.
Other publication / Governments, in aggregate, still plan to produce far more fossil fuels than would be consistent with limiting global warming to between 1.5ºC and 2ºC.
SEI report / This report provides an overview of green industrial policies, outlines potential benefits and challenges for partner countries and provides supporting options.
SEI report / This document provides an overview of wind and solar energy in Colombia at the beginning of 2025, with commentary on outlooks.
SEI brief / This policy brief discusses the importance of involving Indigenous Peoples in lithium mining decisions in the Argentine Altiplano.
SEI report / This report analyses how just energy transitions figure into the policies of southeast Asian countries and China.
SEI working paper / Colombia’s renewable energy auctions can foster a just and inclusive energy transition by integrating socio‑economic and community interactions.
Other publication / SEI experts and tools inform this ASEAN Centre for Energy roadmap plotting the route to net zero emissions in Lao PDR.
SEI brief / Get insights on developing clean-energy-sector interventions in sub-Saharan Africa and low- and lower-middle income countries.
SEI report / This report explores the financial landscape of renewable energy projects in West and Central Africa, with recommendations on how to maximize success.
Other publication / Read a scenario analysis of potential demand for renewable electricity and renewable hydrogen in the EU's green iron and steel transition.
The water agenda sits at the nexus between climate adaptation and mitigation and is vital for sustaining human life and healthy ecosystems. SEI experts explore synergies between tropical forest conservation and the development of green and resilient water systems.
Feature / SEI's water modelling tool WEAP has a new name and new website that showcases its utility in climate adaptation.
Feature / SEI trains Iraqi engineers in SWAT and WEAP tools to boost data-driven, climate-resilient water planning under the WICER project.
Feature / As the WICER project comes to a close this month, SEI sanitation and water resource experts answer a few questions.
Feature / Trase research reveals the colossal amount of water used to produce soy and beef in Brazil, and recommends ways to address water scarcity.
Perspective / In the wetlands of Bangladesh and India, conflicting policies are degrading ecosystems and threatening food security.
SEI podcast / This episode unpacks the challenges and approaches in transboundary water governance of the Mekong River Basin.
SEI report / This assessment of urban sanitation and waste management in Basrah City identifies service gaps, evaluates current practices, and explores opportunities.
Journal article / The study links Brazilian soy and beef exports to China and the EU with river basin water use and scarcity.
SEI brief / Urban and water planning authorities can consider integrating decentralized and off-grid (“gridless”) solutions to improve water services in growing cities.
SEI report / Policy and planning for nature-based solutions can be furthered in sustainable stormwater management in Swedish municipalities.
SEI brief / This brief compares the extra evaporation caused by four lower Snake River dams in Washington state, US, with predicted evaporation of an undisturbed river.
SEI experts explore synergies between tropical forest conservation and the creation of green and resilient food systems.
Perspective / Science, policy and collaboration can transform food systems and improve production, nutrition, environment and lives.
Feature / This feature spotlights the Collaborative Learning School, which aims to facilitate connections between early-career researchers from Africa and the US.
Perspective / In an era where climate change and food insecurity dominate global challenges, school food programs hold a surprising yet critical role.
Perspective / AgriFoSe2030 shows how translating science into action can boost food security, build capacity and advance Sweden’s global development goals.
SEI podcast / In this episode, we talk to Louis Alban on the topic of urban food systems and their contribution to building resilience.
Perspective / Facing hunger, waste and ecological harm, degrowth and agroecology call for a radical shift in how we grow, share and value food.
Perspective / Evelin Piirsalu and Brigita Tool from SEI Tallinn explain how schools play a key role in providing and promoting healthy and sustainable food choices.
SEI report / This report provides insights for food loss and waste (FLW) reduction across different food systems in Southeast Asia from an interdisciplinary perspective.
SEI report / Farmer field schools offer an effective framework to promote agricultural sustainability, empower farmers and strengthen community resilience in Uganda.
SEI report / Climate impacts on agriculture can generate cascading effects through international trade, examined with a focus on transboundary climate risks.
Journal article / Animal products and commodities grown in the tropics are generally much more impactful than staple crops and vegetables.
