SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:42:26 +0000 en hourly 1 https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cropped-favicon-20180207-2-150x150.jpg?modtime= SEI https://www.sei.org/ 32 32 New WEAP plug-in calculates water stress, disaggregated by sub-basin https://www.sei.org/publications/weap-plugin-water-stress/ A new plug-in for SEI’s flagship WEAP software allows users to drill down on water stress by sub-basin, showing the nuances of regional water needs. A new plug-in for SEI’s flagship WEAP software allows users to drill down on water stress by sub-basin, showing the nuances of regional water needs.

]]> Fri, 08 Dec 2023 12:29:56 +0000 Brian Joyce; Doreen Eleanor Brown Salazar https://www.sei.org/publications/weap-plugin-water-stress/ Publication What’s cooking? An assessment of the potential impacts of selected novel alternatives to conventional animal products https://www.sei.org/publications/unep-whats-cooking-frontiers-2023/ This report focuses on the potential environmental, health, social and animal welfare implications of the uptake of novel meat and dairy alternatives, in particular novel plant-based, fermentation-derived and cultivated products. This report focuses on the potential environmental, health, social and animal welfare implications of the uptake of novel meat and dairy alternatives, in particular novel plant-based, fermentation-derived and cultivated products.

]]> Fri, 08 Dec 2023 10:31:46 +0000 Cleo Verkuijl; Ploy Achakulwisut; Jonathan Green; Katie Noble https://www.sei.org/publications/unep-whats-cooking-frontiers-2023/ Publication Bridging the gap: integrating carbon inequality into the climate conversation https://www.sei.org/events/bridging-the-gap-carbon-inequality/ SEI will host a panel discussion at COP28 on the topic of carbon inequality, highlighting its importance in the negotiations. In this side event, experts will discuss questions such as what do equitable climate solutions mean and share new carbon inequality data available on the Emissions Inequality Dashboard. SEI will host a panel discussion at COP28 on the topic of carbon inequality, highlighting its importance in the negotiations. In this side event, experts will discuss questions such as what do equitable climate solutions mean and share new carbon inequality data available on the Emissions Inequality Dashboard.

]]> Thu, 09 Nov 2023 12:11:24 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/bridging-the-gap-carbon-inequality/ Event Q&A: what new UN research says about alternative proteins https://www.sei.org/features/weighing-whats-cooking-what-new-research-says-about-alternative-proteins/ SEI scientists weigh in on the new UNEP report, What’s Cooking? An assessment of the potential impacts of selected novel alternatives to conventional animal products, which launched at COP28. SEI US Scientist Cleo Verkuijl was a coordinating lead author of the report, while SEI York Senior Researcher Jonathan Green and PhD candidate Katie Noble at the University of York conducted the environmental assessments. SEI Asia Research Fellow Ploy Achakulwisut led the report’s assessment on public he... SEI scientists weigh in on the new UNEP report, What’s Cooking? An assessment of the potential impacts of selected novel alternatives to conventional animal products, which launched at COP28.

SEI US Scientist Cleo Verkuijl was a coordinating lead author of the report, while SEI York Senior Researcher Jonathan Green and PhD candidate Katie Noble at the University of York conducted the environmental assessments. SEI Asia Research Fellow Ploy Achakulwisut led the report’s assessment on public health and nutrition.

]]> Fri, 08 Dec 2023 10:31:14 +0000 Cleo Verkuijl; Ploy Achakulwisut; Jonathan Green; Katie Noble https://www.sei.org/features/weighing-whats-cooking-what-new-research-says-about-alternative-proteins/ Feature UNEP: Novel meat and dairy alternatives could help curb climate-harming emissions https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/unep-novel-meat-and-dairy-alternatives-could-help-curb-climate-harming-emissions/ Emerging novel alternatives to animal products such as meat and dairy may contribute to significantly reducing the environmental footprint of the current global food system, particularly in high- and middle-income countries, provided they use low-carbon energy. This is a key finding of a new UNEP assessment of such new alternatives to animal agriculture, a sector accounting for up to a fifth of planet-warming emissions, with meat consumption slated to grow by 50 per cent by 2050. Emerging novel alternatives to animal products such as meat and dairy may contribute to significantly reducing the environmental footprint of the current global food system, particularly in high- and middle-income countries, provided they use low-carbon energy. This is a key finding of a new UNEP assessment of such new alternatives to animal agriculture, a sector accounting for up to a fifth of planet-warming emissions, with meat consumption slated to grow by 50 per cent by 2050.

]]> Fri, 08 Dec 2023 10:52:00 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/unep-novel-meat-and-dairy-alternatives-could-help-curb-climate-harming-emissions/ Press Somya Joshi in CNBC about artificial intelligence advancement and water scarcity https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/joshi-in-cbns-about-water-scarcity-and-artificial-intelligence/ Big Tech’s quest for artificial intelligence advancement is driving up water consumption at alarming rates, reports Sam Meredith at CNBC. In an interview at COP28, SEI’s Somya Joshi speaks to CNBC’s reporter about the balance between innovation, artificial intelligence, and sustainable resource management. Big Tech’s quest for artificial intelligence advancement is driving up water consumption at alarming rates, reports Sam Meredith at CNBC. In an interview at COP28, SEI’s Somya Joshi speaks to CNBC’s reporter about the balance between innovation, artificial intelligence, and sustainable resource management. 

]]> Thu, 07 Dec 2023 09:00:37 +0000 Ylva Rylander https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/joshi-in-cbns-about-water-scarcity-and-artificial-intelligence/ Press EU market access for avocado agribusinesses in Kenya https://www.sei.org/events/eu-market-access-for-avocado-agribusinesses-in-kenya/ This project aims to inform East Africa Community (EAC) and European Union (EU) officials about the climate and other sustainability implications of practices by export-oriented agricultural SMEs in East Africa and identify areas for cooperation to ensure environmental standards and sustainability commitments are met. It draws on networks developed in Africa and the EU during the previous ECF grant to SEI. This project aims to inform East Africa Community (EAC) and European Union (EU) officials about the climate and other sustainability implications of practices by export-oriented agricultural SMEs in East Africa and identify areas for cooperation to ensure environmental standards and sustainability commitments are met. It draws on networks developed in Africa and the EU during the previous ECF grant to SEI.

]]> Wed, 06 Dec 2023 19:21:24 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/eu-market-access-for-avocado-agribusinesses-in-kenya/ Event SEI Currents 2024 https://www.sei.org/features/currents2024/ What risks and opportunities lie ahead? Which issues deserve our focus? SEI experts present key insights affecting the transition of communities, societies, technologies, the private sector, public policymaking and international relations. What risks and opportunities lie ahead? Which issues deserve our focus? SEI experts present key insights affecting the transition of communities, societies, technologies, the private sector, public policymaking and international relations.

]]> Tue, 05 Dec 2023 15:16:24 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/currents2024/ Feature Designing coherent and equitable climate policies for a just transition https://www.sei.org/events/designing-equitable-climate-policies-for-a-just-transition/ This event will explore how climate policies can be designed coherently to enable a just transition and ensure that adaptation and mitigation measures account for existing inequalities, address development needs for vulnerable groups, and leave no one behind. Experts will discuss how policy coherence, as a governance mechanism for strengthening interactions between climate change and sustainable development, can manage inequalities stemming from climate policies and achieve a just transition. This event will explore how climate policies can be designed coherently to enable a just transition and ensure that adaptation and mitigation measures account for existing inequalities, address development needs for vulnerable groups, and leave no one behind. Experts will discuss how policy coherence, as a governance mechanism for strengthening interactions between climate change and sustainable development, can manage inequalities stemming from climate policies and achieve a just transition.

]]> Mon, 06 Nov 2023 11:34:44 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/designing-equitable-climate-policies-for-a-just-transition/ Event Taking stock of business efforts to adapt to climate change https://www.sei.org/publications/taking-stock-business-efforts-adapt-climate/ SEI partnered with the World Economic Forum and PWC to produce this white paper that examines business action on climate change adaptation, in support of the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement which concludes at COP28. SEI partnered with the World Economic Forum and PWC to produce this white paper that examines business action on climate change adaptation, in support of the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement which concludes at COP28.

]]> Wed, 06 Dec 2023 13:26:28 +0000 Katy Harris; Richard J.T. Klein; Mikael Allan Mikaelsson; Marion Davis https://www.sei.org/publications/taking-stock-business-efforts-adapt-climate/ Publication IFIs and heavy industry decarbonization in emerging and developing economies https://www.sei.org/publications/ifis-heavy-industry-decarbonization/ Timely and effective financing is critical for decarbonizing heavy industry in emerging and developing economies. This brief from LeadIT provides a high-level overview of the current financing provided for this purpose by international financial institutions, and recommends how to make it more effective. Timely and effective financing is critical for decarbonizing heavy industry in emerging and developing economies. This brief from LeadIT provides a high-level overview of the current financing provided for this purpose by international financial institutions, and recommends how to make it more effective.

]]> Wed, 06 Dec 2023 11:05:24 +0000 Nadia Mondini; Aaron Maltais; Åsa Moberg https://www.sei.org/publications/ifis-heavy-industry-decarbonization/ Publication Reimagining Terminal Binjai: design competition https://www.sei.org/features/terminal-binjai-design-competition/ Terminal Binjai – a large and pivotal bus terminal in North Sumatra, Indonesia – is crucial to Greater Medan’s transport network. Researchers are seeking innovative ideas to transform the terminal into a model of inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban transport infrastructure. The competition is open for submissions from 1 December 2023–29 January 2024. Terminal Binjai – a large and pivotal bus terminal in North Sumatra, Indonesia – is crucial to Greater Medan’s transport network. Researchers are seeking innovative ideas to transform the terminal into a model of inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban transport infrastructure. The competition is open for submissions from 1 December 2023–29 January 2024.

]]> Wed, 06 Dec 2023 13:13:52 +0000 Anjali Vyas-Brannick; Raeni Raeni https://www.sei.org/features/terminal-binjai-design-competition/ Feature Trase at COP28: Trade practices must change to end emissions from deforestation https://www.sei.org/perspectives/trade-practices-must-change-cop28/ A year of record heatwaves makes it clear that humanity can ill afford any more delay – every opportunity for cutting emissions must be taken. World leaders are gathering at the COP28 climate summit in the United Arab Emirates to take stock of progress towards cutting carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. Written by Carina Mueller, Toby Gardner, Jolene Tan and Ylva Rylander. A year of record heatwaves makes it clear that humanity can ill afford any more delay – every opportunity for cutting emissions must be taken. World leaders are gathering at the COP28 climate summit in the United Arab Emirates to take stock of progress towards cutting carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.

Written by Carina Mueller, Toby Gardner, Jolene Tan and Ylva Rylander.

]]> Wed, 06 Dec 2023 09:00:11 +0000 Carina Mueller; Toby Gardner https://www.sei.org/perspectives/trade-practices-must-change-cop28/ Perspective With the benefit of hindsight: Currents 2023 https://www.sei.org/features/with-the-benefit-of-hindsight-currents-2023/ What became of the trends that SEI presented at the start of this year? Was our foresight accurate and, if so, how did SEI’s four Currents shape sustainable development over the last 11 months? Robert Watt, SEI’s Engagement Director, reflects on turbulent times. What became of the trends that SEI presented at the start of this year? Was our foresight accurate and, if so, how did SEI’s four Currents shape sustainable development over the last 11 months? Robert Watt, SEI’s Engagement Director, reflects on turbulent times.

]]> Wed, 06 Dec 2023 17:17:54 +0000 Robert Watt https://www.sei.org/features/with-the-benefit-of-hindsight-currents-2023/ Feature Zoha Shawoo in Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: 4 ways Loss and Damage can address local needs https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/zoha-shawoo-bulletin-atomic-scientists-loss-damage/ COP28 opened with a breakthrough decision on Loss and Damage. SEI Scientist Zoha Shawoo co-authors a piece in Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on how the fund can address local crises, with fellow experts Inès Bakhtaoui and Ayesha Dinshaw. COP28 opened with a breakthrough decision on Loss and Damage. SEI Scientist Zoha Shawoo co-authors a piece in Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on how the fund can address local crises, with fellow experts Inès Bakhtaoui and Ayesha Dinshaw.

]]> Tue, 12 Dec 2023 10:44:52 +0000 Zoha Shawoo; Inès Bakhtaoui https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/zoha-shawoo-bulletin-atomic-scientists-loss-damage/ Press The path to a fossil fuel phase-out https://www.sei.org/events/the-path-to-a-fossil-fuel-phase-out/ The findings of the 2023 Production Gap Report will serve as backdrop for a lively exploration of how countries can align their plans for coal, oil, and gas production with Paris Agreement commitments. A panel will discuss opportunities for policy and leadership in phasing out fossil fuels. The findings of the 2023 Production Gap Report will serve as backdrop for a lively exploration of how countries can align their plans for coal, oil, and gas production with Paris Agreement commitments. A panel will discuss opportunities for policy and leadership in phasing out fossil fuels.

]]> Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:57:45 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/the-path-to-a-fossil-fuel-phase-out/ Event Forest and peat loss driven by key agricultural commodities generate more emissions than Germany https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/key-agricultural-commodities-generate-more-emissions-than-germany/ New research reveals the vast carbon footprint of deforestation and peat loss driven by the expansion of beef, soy, palm oil, wood pulp and cocoa. To meet climate targets, world leaders at COP28 are urged to take stronger action against the nature loss linked to global supply chains. New research reveals the vast carbon footprint of deforestation and peat loss driven by the expansion of beef, soy, palm oil, wood pulp and cocoa. To meet climate targets, world leaders at COP28 are urged to take stronger action against the nature loss linked to global supply chains.

]]> Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:01:00 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/key-agricultural-commodities-generate-more-emissions-than-germany/ Press Trase: Commodity-driven deforestation and peatland loss emits more carbon than Germany https://www.sei.org/features/deforestation-peatland-carbon-germany/ By Carina Mueller and André Vasconcelos By Carina Mueller and André Vasconcelos

]]> Tue, 05 Dec 2023 10:00:08 +0000 Carina Mueller; Trase initiative https://www.sei.org/features/deforestation-peatland-carbon-germany/ Feature Tackling climate change can improve public health in Africa – new report highlights how https://www.sei.org/perspectives/climate-change-public-health-africa/ In this op-ed published by The Conversation, researchers from SEI York and SEI Africa highlight how public health can be improved by implementing 37 actions in five key areas, which would tackle climate change and air pollution simultaneously. In this op-ed published by The Conversation, researchers from SEI York and SEI Africa highlight how public health can be improved by implementing 37 actions in five key areas, which would tackle climate change and air pollution simultaneously.

]]> Tue, 05 Dec 2023 13:00:04 +0000 Chris Malley; Philip Osano; Kevin Hicks; Andriannah Mbandi https://www.sei.org/perspectives/climate-change-public-health-africa/ Perspective Schools’ air quality monitoring for health and education: methods and protocols of the SAMHE initiative and project https://www.sei.org/publications/methods-protocols-samhe-project/ The SAMHE (Schools’ Air quality Monitoring for Health and Education) project introduces a novel method to generate and analyze extensive datasets via collaborative citizen science methods. The SAMHE team worked closely with UK schools to co-design the SAMHE Web App, which is central to gathering contextual data to inform the air quality analysis and also enables teachers and students to see and interact with the air quality data from their classroom. The SAMHE (Schools’ Air quality Monitoring for Health and Education) project introduces a novel method to generate and analyze extensive datasets via collaborative citizen science methods. The SAMHE team worked closely with UK schools to co-design the SAMHE Web App, which is central to gathering contextual data to inform the air quality analysis and also enables teachers and students to see and interact with the air quality data from their classroom.

]]> Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:28:36 +0000 Rhys Archer; Sam Bland; Douglas Wang; Lucy Way; Sarah West; Victoria Beale https://www.sei.org/publications/methods-protocols-samhe-project/ Publication