SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Mon, 12 Oct 2026 19:45:39 +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 Climate-resilient sanitation: three takeaways from World Water Week 2023 https://www.sei.org/perspectives/climate-resilient-sanitation-water-week-2023/ World Water Week 2023 underscored the urgent need for climate-resilient sanitation amid escalating climate change impacts. Despite growing awareness, challenges remain in understanding cause-effect relationships and securing adequate funding for sustainable sanitation systems. World Water Week 2023 underscored the urgent need for climate-resilient sanitation amid escalating climate change impacts. Despite growing awareness, challenges remain in understanding cause-effect relationships and securing adequate funding for sustainable sanitation systems.

]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2023 13:46:41 +0000 Daniel Ddiba https://www.sei.org/perspectives/climate-resilient-sanitation-water-week-2023/ Perspective Mekong Environmental Resilience Week https://www.sei.org/events/mekong-environmental-resilience-week/ From 13-15 September in Bangkok, the Mekong Environmental Resilience Week 2023 brought together more than 140 researchers, development partners, and policymakers to share knowledge and perspectives and explore avenues for collaboration on critical water, energy, and climate issues in the Mekong Region. The week is organized by Stockholm Environment Institute (Asia) and co-hosted with Chulalongkorn University under the support of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). From 13-15 September in Bangkok, the Mekong Environmental Resilience Week 2023 brought together more than 140 researchers, development partners, and policymakers to share knowledge and perspectives and explore avenues for collaboration on critical water, energy, and climate issues in the Mekong Region. The week is organized by Stockholm Environment Institute (Asia) and co-hosted with Chulalongkorn University under the support of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

]]> Thu, 17 Aug 2023 07:30:57 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/mekong-environmental-resilience-week/ Event Global Stocktake and the SDG mid-term review as opportunities for integration https://www.sei.org/publications/global-stocktake-and-sdg/ Better integration of climate action and sustainable development can help enhance the ambition of the next nationally determined contributions, as well as implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Governments should use this year as an opportunity to emphasize the links between climate and sustainable development. Better integration of climate action and sustainable development can help enhance the ambition of the next nationally determined contributions, as well as implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Governments should use this year as an opportunity to emphasize the links between climate and sustainable development.

]]> Fri, 15 Sep 2023 11:25:08 +0000 Adis Dzebo https://www.sei.org/publications/global-stocktake-and-sdg/ Publication SEI calls on the SDG Summit: it is time to lead with science to accelerate the Global Goals https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/it-is-time-to-lead-on-the-sdgs/ The 2023 SDG Summit will take place on 18-19 September in New York. SEI researchers have put forward an array of insights and recommendations aimed at guiding policymakers to accelerate progress towards the Global Goals. The 2023 SDG Summit will take place on 18-19 September in New York. SEI researchers have put forward an array of insights and recommendations aimed at guiding policymakers to accelerate progress towards the Global Goals.

]]> Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:30:38 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/it-is-time-to-lead-on-the-sdgs/ Press Time for transformation: a UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue https://www.sei.org/events/time-for-transformation-un-desa-global-policy-dialogue/ Ahead of the 2023 SDG Summit, the UN unveils the Global Sustainable Development Report 2023. Compiled by 15 diverse experts including SEI Research Director and Deputy Director Åsa Persson, the report will inform actionable strategies for sustainable transformation. Join a special edition Global Policy Dialogue to discuss its findings and the role of science in development. Ahead of the 2023 SDG Summit, the UN unveils the Global Sustainable Development Report 2023. Compiled by 15 diverse experts including SEI Research Director and Deputy Director Åsa Persson, the report will inform actionable strategies for sustainable transformation. Join a special edition Global Policy Dialogue to discuss its findings and the role of science in development.

]]> Tue, 12 Sep 2023 12:01:35 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/time-for-transformation-un-desa-global-policy-dialogue/ Event What scientists need to do to accelerate progress on the SDGs https://www.sei.org/publications/scientists-accelerate-progress-sdgs/ Halfway to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed in 2015 to be reached by 2030, an independent group of scientists appointed by the UN to assess progress and recommend how to move forwards has a stark message: the world is not on track to achieve any of the 17 SDGs and cannot rely on change to happen organically. Halfway to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed in 2015 to be reached by 2030, an independent group of scientists appointed by the UN to assess progress and recommend how to move forwards has a stark message: the world is not on track to achieve any of the 17 SDGs and cannot rely on change to happen organically.

]]> Thu, 14 Sep 2023 08:55:30 +0000 Åsa Persson; Therese Bennich https://www.sei.org/publications/scientists-accelerate-progress-sdgs/ Publication Global fossil fuel reduction pathways under different climate mitigation strategies and ambitions https://www.sei.org/publications/global-fossil-fuel-reduction-pathways/ This study examines mitigation scenarios from a database by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report and their implications for a decline in fossil fuel supply in the coming decades. This study examines mitigation scenarios from a database by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report and their implications for a decline in fossil fuel supply in the coming decades.

]]> Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:11:35 +0000 Ploy Achakulwisut; Peter Erickson https://www.sei.org/publications/global-fossil-fuel-reduction-pathways/ Publication Harnessing science to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals https://www.sei.org/perspectives/harnessing-science-for-the-sdgs/ This statement summarizes insights from the first-ever Science Day, which brought together scientists to help accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. The statement was co-authored by SEI, the UN Development Programme, the International Science Council, and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) on behalf of the event’s participants. It calls for strengthening the science-policy interface and creating a “global transformation road map” to address interwoven crises. This statement summarizes insights from the first-ever Science Day, which brought together scientists to help accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. The statement was co-authored by SEI, the UN Development Programme, the International Science Council, and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) on behalf of the event’s participants. It calls for strengthening the science-policy interface and creating a “global transformation road map” to address interwoven crises.

]]> Thu, 14 Sep 2023 11:14:45 +0000 https://www.sei.org/perspectives/harnessing-science-for-the-sdgs/ Perspective Lithium mining in the Americas: planning to address community and environmental impacts https://www.sei.org/projects/lithium-mining-americas-community-environment/ This project unites geospatial analysis, decision-maker interviews, and community-engaged case studies to inform planning on lithium mining across the Americas that minimizes its social and environmental impacts, with a focus on water resources, ecosystems, and community wellbeing. This project unites geospatial analysis, decision-maker interviews, and community-engaged case studies to inform planning on lithium mining across the Americas that minimizes its social and environmental impacts, with a focus on water resources, ecosystems, and community wellbeing.

]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2026 22:50:14 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/lithium-mining-americas-community-environment/ Project Global sustainable development report 2023 https://www.sei.org/publications/times-of-crisis-times-of-change/ This report – Times of Crisis, Times of Change: Science for Accelerating Transformations to Sustainable Development – is a call to embrace change with the urgency needed to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. This report – Times of Crisis, Times of Change: Science for Accelerating Transformations to Sustainable Development – is a call to embrace change with the urgency needed to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

]]> Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:19:14 +0000 Åsa Persson; Therese Bennich https://www.sei.org/publications/times-of-crisis-times-of-change/ Publication Comment: World failing on Sustainable Development Goals https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/world-failing-on-the-sdgs/ The world is not on track to achieve any of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the agreed date of 2030, warn an independent group of scientists appointed by the UN to assess SDG progress. In a Comment in Nature, Shirin Malekpour and Cameron Allen and colleagues call on scientists to support policymakers and others in rethinking humanity’s approach to achieving the SDGs. The world is not on track to achieve any of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the agreed date of 2030, warn an independent group of scientists appointed by the UN to assess SDG progress. In a Comment in Nature, Shirin Malekpour and Cameron Allen and colleagues call on scientists to support policymakers and others in rethinking humanity’s approach to achieving the SDGs.

]]> Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:00:18 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/world-failing-on-the-sdgs/ Press Cascading climate risk: what can Sweden do? https://www.sei.org/events/cascading-climate-risk-what-can-sweden-do/ The UK Embassy and SEI are co-organizing a dissemination event as part of CASCADES project. The event will gather experts and policy-makers to discuss how Sweden can build resilience to cascading climate risks. The UK Embassy and SEI are co-organizing a dissemination event as part of CASCADES project. The event will gather experts and policy-makers to discuss how Sweden can build resilience to cascading climate risks.

]]> Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:11:33 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/cascading-climate-risk-what-can-sweden-do/ Event Building Resilience to Environmental, Climate Challenges in the Mekong Region https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/building-resilience-to-environmental-climate-challenges/ Around 120 policymakers, researchers, civil society representatives, and development practitioners will gather in Bangkok for the Mekong Environmental Resilience Week (13–15 September). Participants will exchange perspectives on the needs and avenues for collaboration on water, energy, and climate issues in the Mekong Region. The event is sponsored by the Australian Embassy, Thailand, and will be hosted by Stockholm Environment Institute Asia and Chulalongkorn University. Around 120 policymakers, researchers, civil society representatives, and development practitioners will gather in Bangkok for the Mekong Environmental Resilience Week (13–15 September). Participants will exchange perspectives on the needs and avenues for collaboration on water, energy, and climate issues in the Mekong Region. The event is sponsored by the Australian Embassy, Thailand, and will be hosted by Stockholm Environment Institute Asia and Chulalongkorn University.

]]> Tue, 12 Sep 2023 06:00:41 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/building-resilience-to-environmental-climate-challenges/ Press Just transitions in the transport sector: insights from Sweden https://www.sei.org/perspectives/just-transitions-in-the-transport-sector-sweden/ Do you ever wonder what all these new transport technologies and policies we read and hear about in media will mean to you? Driverless electric trucks, bans on new petrol-burning cars, tax subsidies for petrol or even for charging stations for private electric vehicles. You might be excited or concerned about the changes these will lead to, on their impacts on how you conduct your day-to-day activities, on your professional opportunities, on your well-being more broadly. Do you ever wonder what all these new transport technologies and policies we read and hear about in media will mean to you? Driverless electric trucks, bans on new petrol-burning cars, tax subsidies for petrol or even for charging stations for private electric vehicles. You might be excited or concerned about the changes these will lead to, on their impacts on how you conduct your day-to-day activities, on your professional opportunities, on your well-being more broadly.

]]> Tue, 12 Sep 2023 14:27:43 +0000 Claudia Strambo; Jindan Gong; Maria Xylia https://www.sei.org/perspectives/just-transitions-in-the-transport-sector-sweden/ Perspective Halvlek för hållbarhetsmålen, men världen står still https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/halvlek-for-hallbarhetsmalen/ Världens länder är långt ifrån att nå de 17 globala hållbarhetmålen till 2030. Det visar rapporten Global Sustainable Development Report 2023 som presenteras av FN idag. Världens länder är långt ifrån att nå de 17 globala hållbarhetmålen till 2030. Det visar rapporten Global Sustainable Development Report 2023 som presenteras av FN idag.

]]> Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:00:37 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/halvlek-for-hallbarhetsmalen/ Press Science-driven transformation pivotal to SDGs acceleration, say scientists in new UN report https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/science-driven-transformation-pivotal-to-sdgs-acceleration/ New York, Stockholm — Ahead of the SDG Summit, a new UN report by an independent group of scientists launched today calls for transformational shifts rooted in science that would urgently reverse course and turbocharge the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). New York, Stockholm — Ahead of the SDG Summit, a new UN report by an independent group of scientists launched today calls for transformational shifts rooted in science that would urgently reverse course and turbocharge the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

]]> Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:00:05 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/science-driven-transformation-pivotal-to-sdgs-acceleration/ Press Returning to core principles to advance the 2030 Agenda https://www.sei.org/publications/returning-to-core-principles-to-advance-the-2030-agenda/ The principles that underpin the 2030 Agenda – that it should be indivisible, integrated and universal – can safeguard against inaction or unsustainable practices. However, these principles have not yet been meaningfully applied. As the world gears up to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals at the 2023 SDG Summit, this article proposes measures to strengthen alignment with these principles. The principles that underpin the 2030 Agenda – that it should be indivisible, integrated and universal – can safeguard against inaction or unsustainable practices. However, these principles have not yet been meaningfully applied. As the world gears up to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals at the 2023 SDG Summit, this article proposes measures to strengthen alignment with these principles.

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 15:11:25 +0000 Nina Weitz; Henrik Carlsen; Therese Bennich; Måns Nilsson; Åsa Persson https://www.sei.org/publications/returning-to-core-principles-to-advance-the-2030-agenda/ Publication Conceptualizations of “Rights of Nature” and “Right to a Healthy Environment” in the literature: a protocol for qualitative synthesis https://www.sei.org/publications/conceptualizations-rights-nature-healthy-environment/ By critically exploring variations and commonalities among these definitions and conceptualizations, this protocol provides valuable insights for research and policymakers in designing and implementing effective rights-based approaches. This includes providing grounds to understand when the application of rights approaches is pursuing (or not) the same or similar goals (e.g. improved quality of life and environment). By critically exploring variations and commonalities among these definitions and conceptualizations, this protocol provides valuable insights for research and policymakers in designing and implementing effective rights-based approaches. This includes providing grounds to understand when the application of rights approaches is pursuing (or not) the same or similar goals (e.g. improved quality of life and environment).

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 13:30:18 +0000 Biljana Macura; Nella Canales; Camille Pross; Dayoon Kim; Cynthia McDougall https://www.sei.org/publications/conceptualizations-rights-nature-healthy-environment/ Publication What is the evidence on the differential impact of mineral mining on local social groups already experiencing marginalisation and through which mechanisms these impacts occur? https://www.sei.org/publications/evidence-mineral-mining-marginalisation-mechanisms/ By synthesising evidence on differential local impacts of mineral mining, this protocol aims to identify in what ways and through which mechanisms critical mineral mining affects local social groups already experiencing marginalisation and the mechanisms by which these impacts occur. By synthesising evidence on differential local impacts of mineral mining, this protocol aims to identify in what ways and through which mechanisms critical mineral mining affects local social groups already experiencing marginalisation and the mechanisms by which these impacts occur.

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 13:20:18 +0000 Biljana Macura; Charlotte Wagner; Marina Mautner; Laura Forni; Juan Camilo Betancur Jaramillo; Cláudia Coleoni; Cynthia McDougall https://www.sei.org/publications/evidence-mineral-mining-marginalisation-mechanisms/ Publication Q&A with Åsa Persson on the SDG Summit and GSDR: charting the path forward to 2030 https://www.sei.org/features/qa-asa-persson-sdg-summit-2023/ With only 10-20% of the Global Goals currently on track, what outcomes can we anticipate from the 2023 SDG Summit in New York on 18-19 September? And what guidance does the recently released Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) offer for our next steps? SEI Research Director and Deputy Director, Åsa Persson, is a member of the Independent Group of Scientists appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General who are responsible for preparing the GSDR. Åsa speaks on camera about the exp... With only 10-20% of the Global Goals currently on track, what outcomes can we anticipate from the 2023 SDG Summit in New York on 18-19 September? And what guidance does the recently released Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) offer for our next steps?

SEI Research Director and Deputy Director, Åsa Persson, is a member of the Independent Group of Scientists appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General who are responsible for preparing the GSDR. Åsa speaks on camera about the expectations from world leaders for a more fruitful second half of Agenda 2030, and the pivotal role science and policy play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 13:16:38 +0000 Åsa Persson https://www.sei.org/features/qa-asa-persson-sdg-summit-2023/ Feature