SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Thu, 15 Oct 2026 23:20:36 +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 At the crossroads of changing politics, a changing climate, youthful expression and artistic endeavour in Hungary https://www.sei.org/features/youth-art-changing-climate-and-changing-politics-in-hungary/ On the heels of the landmark elections in Hungary, SEI and partners in the DIRECTED project worked with the historic Helikon Festival in Keszthely to bring youth views and artistic expression into wider climate change policy discussions. On the heels of the landmark elections in Hungary, SEI and partners in the DIRECTED project worked with the historic Helikon Festival in Keszthely to bring youth views and artistic expression into wider climate change policy discussions.

]]> Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:54:31 +0000 Natascha Ng; Janne Parviainen; Kate Williamson https://www.sei.org/features/youth-art-changing-climate-and-changing-politics-in-hungary/ Feature Post-participatory intentions in design for ecological citizenship and collective wellbeing https://www.sei.org/publications/design-ecological-citizenship-wellbeing/ This paper documents the generation of the Ecological Citizen(s) Preferable Futures Deck (PF Deck), tracing its conceptual grounding, design process and iterative refinement. The article positions the PF Deck as the outcome of a research-through-design journey that responds to ecological, social, and democratic crises. This paper documents the generation of the Ecological Citizen(s) Preferable Futures Deck (PF Deck), tracing its conceptual grounding, design process and iterative refinement. The article positions the PF Deck as the outcome of a research-through-design journey that responds to ecological, social, and democratic crises.

]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:28:52 +0000 Luke Gooding https://www.sei.org/publications/design-ecological-citizenship-wellbeing/ Publication Designing roadmaps to reduce consumption-based emissions https://www.sei.org/publications/designing-roadmaps-to-reduce-consumption-based-emissions/ Sufficiency-oriented strategies are underused, and they offer significant potential.The sufficiency-oriented strategies that are used in Malmö’s climate strategy are unevenly embedded in key sectors.Sufficiency-oriented practices align closely with the views expressed by workshop participants about what constitutes a good life.Sufficiency-oriented measures can strengthen both community wellbeing and sustainability.Sufficiency principles offer a way to reframe climate action beyond reducing em... Sufficiency-oriented strategies are underused, and they offer significant potential.

The sufficiency-oriented strategies that are used in Malmö’s climate strategy are unevenly embedded in key sectors.

Sufficiency-oriented practices align closely with the views expressed by workshop participants about what constitutes a good life.

Sufficiency-oriented measures can strengthen both community wellbeing and sustainability.

Sufficiency principles offer a way to reframe climate action beyond reducing emissions, pointing towards its potential to foster wellbeing and build community.

]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:02:09 +0000 Julia Jokiaho; Fedra Vanhuyse https://www.sei.org/publications/designing-roadmaps-to-reduce-consumption-based-emissions/ Publication Devising strategies to reduce consumption-based emissions https://www.sei.org/publications/devising-strategies-to-reduce-consumption-based-emissions/ Municipalities influence everyday sustainability, and they can work closely with businesses and residents to help foster change.Residents’ participation in sustainability transitions should be designed with a clear intent.Focusing on issues that affect people where they live offers an effective way to start engaging.Focusing on everyday wellbeing, rather than on abstract emissions targets, can help citizens engage and make the concept of sustainability tangible.Reframing climate action can le... Municipalities influence everyday sustainability, and they can work closely with businesses and residents to help foster change.

Residents’ participation in sustainability transitions should be designed with a clear intent.

Focusing on issues that affect people where they live offers an effective way to start engaging.

Focusing on everyday wellbeing, rather than on abstract emissions targets, can help citizens engage and make the concept of sustainability tangible.

Reframing climate action can lead to new ways of thinking about sustainability.

]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:58:41 +0000 Julia Jokiaho; Fedra Vanhuyse https://www.sei.org/publications/devising-strategies-to-reduce-consumption-based-emissions/ Publication SEI at the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels https://www.sei.org/events/first-conference-transitioning-from-fossil-fuels/ As the first global conference on planning a transition away from fossil fuels, the event is an important step in implementing the Paris Agreement and supporting equitable pathways to a fossil-free future. SEI’s delegation will contribute across key themes, including just transitions, economic diversification in fossil-fuel-dependent regions, air quality, health, urban methane mitigation and international cooperation. The team will provide evidence-based insights to support decision-making. As the first global conference on planning a transition away from fossil fuels, the event is an important step in implementing the Paris Agreement and supporting equitable pathways to a fossil-free future.

SEI’s delegation will contribute across key themes, including just transitions, economic diversification in fossil-fuel-dependent regions, air quality, health, urban methane mitigation and international cooperation. The team will provide evidence-based insights to support decision-making.

]]> Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:53:50 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/first-conference-transitioning-from-fossil-fuels/ Event Webinar on rapid and living evidence synthesis for environmental action https://www.sei.org/events/webinar-evidence-synthesis-climate-action/ Experts, including SEI’s Biljana Macura, will explore how rapid and living evidence synthesis can deliver research findings more quickly and effectively to decision-makers, strengthening science–policy connections and informing action. Experts, including SEI’s Biljana Macura, will explore how rapid and living evidence synthesis can deliver research findings more quickly and effectively to decision-makers, strengthening science–policy connections and informing action.

]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:42:52 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/webinar-evidence-synthesis-climate-action/ Event Expanding the toolkit: Exploring European policy pathways to reduce agricultural deforestation and biodiversity loss https://www.sei.org/publications/toolkit-european-policy-reduce-agricultural-deforestation-biodiversity-loss/ This report explores how the EU Deforestation Regulation could help reduce the EU’s deforestation, emissions and biodiversity footprint linked to seven forest-risk commodities. Using exploratory scenario analysis, the authors find that the greatest reductions may be achieved when the regulation is combined with wider policy measures that address consumption, production and trade incentives. This report explores how the EU Deforestation Regulation could help reduce the EU’s deforestation, emissions and biodiversity footprint linked to seven forest-risk commodities. Using exploratory scenario analysis, the authors find that the greatest reductions may be achieved when the regulation is combined with wider policy measures that address consumption, production and trade incentives.

]]> Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:43:58 +0000 Simon Croft; Robin Vrijhoeven; Jonathan Green; Joe Simpson; Amy Molotoks; Emilie Stokeld; Oliver Taherzadeh; Chris West https://www.sei.org/publications/toolkit-european-policy-reduce-agricultural-deforestation-biodiversity-loss/ Publication New analysis shows EU could significantly cut deforestation footprint with a mix of policy tools https://www.sei.org/features/eu-deforestation-footprint-policy-tools/ Effective implementation and enforcement of the EU Deforestation Regulation can deliver substantial reductions in forest loss, climate change and biodiversity impacts, according to a new research report. Even bigger gains are possible when the EUDR is combined with a wider set of achievable policy measures on consumption, production and trade incentives. Effective implementation and enforcement of the EU Deforestation Regulation can deliver substantial reductions in forest loss, climate change and biodiversity impacts, according to a new research report. Even bigger gains are possible when the EUDR is combined with a wider set of achievable policy measures on consumption, production and trade incentives.

]]> Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:55:55 +0000 Jana Busch; Chris West https://www.sei.org/features/eu-deforestation-footprint-policy-tools/ Feature Reshaping Citizen Science for Nature Connectedness and Well-being https://www.sei.org/projects/citizen-science-for-nature-connectedness/ Through new interdisciplinary collaborations between French and English institutions, we aim to better understand how citizen science can foster nature connection. Nature connection is important for human and environmental health, and nature-based citizen science projects can encourage people to care about nature and take practical action to protect it. Through new interdisciplinary collaborations between French and English institutions, we aim to better understand how citizen science can foster nature connection. Nature connection is important for human and environmental health, and nature-based citizen science projects can encourage people to care about nature and take practical action to protect it.

]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:57:34 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/citizen-science-for-nature-connectedness/ Project Climate Weeks 2026  https://www.sei.org/events/climate-weeks-2026/ Climate Weeks 2026 will take place in Yeosu, the Republic of Korea from 21 to 25 April 2026. SEI’s Programme Manager Wanaporn Yangyuentham and Communications Manager Charmaine Caparas will contribute to the sessions on multilevel governance for climate delivery, adaptation finance and effective climate communication respectively. Climate Weeks 2026  will take place in Yeosu, the Republic of Korea from 21 to 25 April 2026. SEI’s Programme Manager Wanaporn Yangyuentham and Communications Manager Charmaine Caparas will contribute to the sessions on multilevel governance for climate delivery, adaptation finance and effective climate communication respectively.

]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:47:11 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/climate-weeks-2026/ Event The Beijing-Brasília effect: a new paradigm for sustainable commodity trade? https://www.sei.org/publications/the-beijing-brasilia-effect-a-new-paradigm-for-sustainable-commodity-trade/ Brazil and China have the opportunity to use their powerful trade alliance to ensure future food security and economic stability by curbing deforestation and reducing climate change, according to a new report by Trase. Brazil and China have the opportunity to use their powerful trade alliance to ensure future food security and economic stability by curbing deforestation and reducing climate change, according to a new report by Trase.

]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:15:05 +0000 André Vasconcelos; Mark Titley; Toby Gardner https://www.sei.org/publications/the-beijing-brasilia-effect-a-new-paradigm-for-sustainable-commodity-trade/ Publication Segments, strategies and uncertainties: recent evidence on low-carbon technologies for commercial vehicles https://www.sei.org/publications/evidence-on-low-carbon-technologies-for-commercial-vehicles/ This report aims to explain what factors are influencing the viability of different technology options. This report aims to explain what factors are influencing the viability of different technology options.

]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:46:06 +0000 Jindan Gong; Björn Nykvist https://www.sei.org/publications/evidence-on-low-carbon-technologies-for-commercial-vehicles/ Publication Statens markförvaltningssystem i Sápmi – konsekvenser för renskötsel och samiskt självbestämmande https://www.sei.org/publications/statens-markforvaltningssystem-i-sapmi/ Detta kapitel ingår i forskningsantologin Marken, vattnet, tankarna, framtagen av Sanningskommissionen för det samiska folket, och analyserar hur statens markförvaltning i Sápmi påverkar renskötsel och samiskt självbestämmande. Detta kapitel ingår i forskningsantologin Marken, vattnet, tankarna, framtagen av Sanningskommissionen för det samiska folket, och analyserar hur statens markförvaltning i Sápmi påverkar renskötsel och samiskt självbestämmande.

]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:43:46 +0000 Annette Löf; Rasmus Kløcker Larsen https://www.sei.org/publications/statens-markforvaltningssystem-i-sapmi/ Publication Time to be systemic: integrating and mainstreaming climate mitigation and adaptation across all scales https://www.sei.org/perspectives/time-to-be-systemic-climate-mitigation-adaptation/ Climate mitigation and adaptation action have long been treated as separate agendas: cutting emissions and building resilience. This perspective argues for a systemic approach by integrating mitigation and adaptation by default into every policy, budget, and planning decision, from local neighbourhoods to national governments. Drawing on evidence from Asia and global frameworks, it makes the case that climate change is not a standalone sector but a fundamental condition of development. Climate mitigation and adaptation action have long been treated as separate agendas: cutting emissions and building resilience. This perspective argues for a systemic approach by integrating mitigation and adaptation by default into every policy, budget, and planning decision, from local neighbourhoods to national governments. Drawing on evidence from Asia and global frameworks, it makes the case that climate change is not a standalone sector but a fundamental condition of development.

]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:29:14 +0000 Corrado Topi https://www.sei.org/perspectives/time-to-be-systemic-climate-mitigation-adaptation/ Perspective A slippery slope? Gas developments and costly investments lock Colombia into a carbon-intensive path https://www.sei.org/perspectives/gas-developments-investments-lock-colombia-carbon-intensive-path/ As natural gas reserves in Colombia dwindle, political interests are calling for the country to increase production, bring in costly imported gas, and supplement with coal, despite the ripe opportunity to develop solar and wind energy. In April, countries attending first Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels intend to advance a roadmap that will wean the planet off of fossil fuels and set ambitious, achievable goals for cleaner energy future. As natural gas reserves in Colombia dwindle, political interests are calling for the country to increase production, bring in costly imported gas, and supplement with coal, despite the ripe opportunity to develop solar and wind energy. In April, countries attending first Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels intend to advance a roadmap that will wean the planet off of fossil fuels and set ambitious, achievable goals for cleaner energy future.

]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:06:04 +0000 Eileen Torres-Morales; Claudia Strambo; Elisa Arond; Adrián Correa https://www.sei.org/perspectives/gas-developments-investments-lock-colombia-carbon-intensive-path/ Perspective Policy barriers to climate finance flows in Asia: the case of Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal and Thailand https://www.sei.org/publications/policy-barriers-climate-finance-asia-case-studies/ Capacity and expertise gaps, especially in project preparation, risk assessment and accessing international funds, are widespread across all four countries in the policy but also the wider banking environment.Governance fragmentation (which we use in the sense of unclear decision-making and/or policymaking power among a multitude of actors, often uncoordinated), unclear mandates, and misaligned vertical coordination hinder policy execution and climate action planning.Regulatory uncertainty an... Capacity and expertise gaps, especially in project preparation, risk assessment and accessing international funds, are widespread across all four countries in the policy but also the wider banking environment.

Governance fragmentation (which we use in the sense of unclear decision-making and/or policymaking power among a multitude of actors, often uncoordinated), unclear mandates, and misaligned vertical coordination hinder policy execution and climate action planning.

Regulatory uncertainty and complex procedures discourage private sector participation and restrict investment flows, especially in Thailand and Cambodia.

Monitoring, evaluation and data systems are often weak or non-existent, limiting transparency, accountability and investor confidence.

Despite these issues, each country shows local innovation and policy potential, evidenced by multiple success stories.

]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:20:16 +0000 Stefan Bößner; Anastasia Maga; Corrado Topi; Anmol Bullar; Ava Tahet; William Vedage https://www.sei.org/publications/policy-barriers-climate-finance-asia-case-studies/ Publication Developing a clearer picture of the power and limits of renewable energy in Mozambique https://www.sei.org/features/renewable-energy-mozambique-power-limits/ Why do some efforts to expand access to renewable energy succeed? Why do other efforts fail? An SEI research team travelled to Mozambique to see how renewable energy projects are faring on the ground and to gain insights into questions about the effectiveness of renewable energy finance in spurring wider socioeconomic development in low-income countries. Why do some efforts to expand access to renewable energy succeed? Why do other efforts fail? An SEI research team travelled to Mozambique to see how renewable energy projects are faring on the ground and to gain insights into questions about the effectiveness of renewable energy finance in spurring wider socioeconomic development in low-income countries.

]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:37:17 +0000 Karen Brandon; Maximilian Bruder; Daniel Duma; Annika Hilgert; Fiona Lambe; Miquel Muñoz Cabré https://www.sei.org/features/renewable-energy-mozambique-power-limits/ Feature Oil-price shocks as a transport crisis: a turning point for fossil dependence https://www.sei.org/perspectives/oil-shocks-transport-crisis-turning-point-fossil-dependence/ The war on Iran is causing economic upheaval. In this analysis, experts from SEI’s centres give their take, region by region, on how the crisis is affecting energy and transport systems. The war on Iran is causing economic upheaval. In this analysis, experts from SEI’s centres give their take, region by region, on how the crisis is affecting energy and transport systems.  

]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:53:57 +0000 Maria Xylia; Stefan Bößner; Santiago Jaramillo Gil; Romanus Opiyo; Charles Heaps; Gary Haq; Guoyi Han; Shimin Huang; Erika Tšerkašina; Jenniffer Pedraza; Javan Odenyo https://www.sei.org/perspectives/oil-shocks-transport-crisis-turning-point-fossil-dependence/ Perspective Santa Marta 2026: aligning ambition with action in fossil fuel phase-out https://www.sei.org/perspectives/santa-marta-2026-ambition-fossil-fuel-phase-out/ A just phase out of fossil fuels from the energy mix provides a hedge against increasing price volatility, a buffer to geopolitical conflict and an imperative investment in our collective health and security. Ahead of the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Colombia, SEI experts weigh in with their priorities for advancing a fossil-free future. A just phase out of fossil fuels from the energy mix provides a hedge against increasing price volatility, a buffer to geopolitical conflict and an imperative investment in our collective health and security.

Ahead of the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Colombia, SEI experts weigh in with their priorities for advancing a fossil-free future.

]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:00:30 +0000 Aminta Estrada Leyva; Santiago Jaramillo Gil; Elisa Arond; Emily Ghosh; Sivan Kartha; Jenniffer Pedraza; Daniela Maestre; Juan Camilo Betancur Jaramillo; Derik Broekhoff https://www.sei.org/perspectives/santa-marta-2026-ambition-fossil-fuel-phase-out/ Perspective New SEI and WFP collaboration to boost food assistance https://www.sei.org/features/new-sei-wfp-collaboration-to-boost-food-assistance/ SEI and the World Food Programme launch collaboration on green and resilient food supply chains and stronger local food systems in humanitarian contexts. SEI and the World Food Programme launch collaboration on green and resilient food supply chains and stronger local food systems in humanitarian contexts.

]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:04:12 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/new-sei-wfp-collaboration-to-boost-food-assistance/ Feature