SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Fri, 09 Oct 2026 17:51:54 +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 Effectiveness of conditional cash transfers (Afya credits incentive) to retain women in the continuum of care during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period in Kenya: a cluster-randomised trial https://www.sei.org/publications/conditional-cash-transfers-afya-women-pregnancy-birth-postnatal-kenya-randomised-trial/ The Afya project set up a project in Kenya that aimed to encourage women to participate in antenatal and postnatal care by offering them direct cash transfers. This article assesses the results of the project. The Afya project set up a project in Kenya that aimed to encourage women to participate in antenatal and postnatal care by offering them direct cash transfers. This article assesses the results of the project.

]]> Wed, 26 Jan 2022 11:20:31 +0000 Fedra Vanhuyse; Sarah Dickin https://www.sei.org/publications/conditional-cash-transfers-afya-women-pregnancy-birth-postnatal-kenya-randomised-trial/ Publication Making Climate Action More Effective: Lessons Learned from the First Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) https://www.sei.org/publications/making-climate-action-more-effective/ This book analyses in detail the first round of the Nationally Determined Countributions (NDCs). This book analyses in detail the first round of the Nationally Determined Countributions (NDCs).

]]> Wed, 26 Jan 2022 09:12:46 +0000 Richard J.T. Klein https://www.sei.org/publications/making-climate-action-more-effective/ Publication Just transition towards a bioeconomy: four dimensions in Brazil, India and Indonesia https://www.sei.org/publications/just-transition-towards-bioeconomy/ Starting from an understanding that equity and sustainability essentially depend on how and on whose terms bio-based production takes place, this article explores the social dimensions of bioeconomy promotion through a “just transition” lens. Using the experiences of Brazil, India and Indonesia as case studies, it examines their dominant bio-based production systems in terms of distributional, procedural, retributive, and restorative justice. Starting from an understanding that equity and sustainability essentially depend on how and on whose terms bio-based production takes place, this article explores the social dimensions of bioeconomy promotion through a “just transition” lens. Using the experiences of Brazil, India and Indonesia as case studies, it examines their dominant bio-based production systems in terms of distributional, procedural, retributive, and restorative justice.

]]> Tue, 25 Jan 2022 16:09:38 +0000 Mairon G. Bastos Lima https://www.sei.org/publications/just-transition-towards-bioeconomy/ Publication Timothy Suljada varnar för kryphål i EU taxonomin i SvD https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/timothy-suljada-varnar-for-kryphal-i-eu-taxonomin-i-svd/ I en intervju med SvD:s Mikael Törnvall, höjer SEIs Timothy Suljada, ställföreträdande ansvarig för klimat, energi och sähällsenheten på SEI, ett varningens finger för att taxonomin inte är ambitiös nog och att EU-reglerna därigenom kan möjliggöra kryphål för giftiga ämnen. I en intervju med SvD:s Mikael Törnvall, höjer SEIs Timothy Suljada, ställföreträdande ansvarig för klimat, energi och sähällsenheten på SEI, ett varningens finger för att taxonomin inte är ambitiös nog och att EU-reglerna därigenom kan möjliggöra kryphål för giftiga ämnen.

]]> Wed, 02 Feb 2022 12:21:34 +0000 Jenny Wickman https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/timothy-suljada-varnar-for-kryphal-i-eu-taxonomin-i-svd/ Press The UK Soy Manifesto https://www.sei.org/publications/uk-soy-manifesto/ The UK Soy Manifesto is a collective industry commitment to work together to make all physical shipments of soy to the UK deforestation and habitat-conversion free. It was launched on 9 November 2021 with an initial 27 signatories, representing nearly 60% of all UK soy bought every year. The UK Soy Manifesto is a collective industry commitment to work together to make all physical shipments of soy to the UK deforestation and habitat-conversion free. It was launched on 9 November 2021 with an initial 27 signatories, representing nearly 60% of all UK soy bought every year.

]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 17:21:35 +0000 Chris West https://www.sei.org/publications/uk-soy-manifesto/ Publication Global challenges for nitrogen science-policy interactions: towards the International Nitrogen Management System (INMS) and improved coordination between multi-lateral environmental agreements https://www.sei.org/publications/towards-inms/ This chapter addresses the increasing level of human interference in the nitrogen cycle and the consequent environmental issues. It proposes a more coordinated policy approach to maximize the benefits of efficient nitrogen use, while minimizing its many environmental threats. This chapter addresses the increasing level of human interference in the nitrogen cycle and the consequent environmental issues. It proposes a more coordinated policy approach to maximize the benefits of efficient nitrogen use, while minimizing its many environmental threats.

]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 17:02:44 +0000 Kevin Hicks https://www.sei.org/publications/towards-inms/ Publication The Bioeconomy–Biodiversity Nexus: Enhancing or Undermining Nature’s Contributions to People? https://www.sei.org/publications/bioeconomy-biodiversity-nexus/ The authors explored the bioeconomy–biodiversity nexus through the lens of nature’s contributions to people (NCPs). Drawing from the bioeconomy literature and Amazonian experiences, they argued that the bioeconomy may: (i) help conserve or restore habitats, (ii) improve knowledge on biodiversity, (iii) valorize livelihoods and increase social participation, and (iv) aid in moving beyond the commodification of nature. However, none of these achievements can be taken for granted. The authors explored the bioeconomy–biodiversity nexus through the lens of nature’s contributions to people (NCPs). Drawing from the bioeconomy literature and Amazonian experiences, they argued that the bioeconomy may: (i) help conserve or restore habitats, (ii) improve knowledge on biodiversity, (iii) valorize livelihoods and increase social participation, and (iv) aid in moving beyond the commodification of nature. However, none of these achievements can be taken for granted.

]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 16:40:08 +0000 Mairon G. Bastos Lima https://www.sei.org/publications/bioeconomy-biodiversity-nexus/ Publication Citizen science for the food system https://www.sei.org/publications/citizen-science-food-system/ This book chapter argues that, although currently focused mainly on health and food production, citizen science has the potential to help address a much broader range of challenges related to food and agriculture. This book chapter argues that, although currently focused mainly on health and food production, citizen science has the potential to help address a much broader range of challenges related to food and agriculture.

]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 16:01:11 +0000 Sarah West; Rachel Pateman https://www.sei.org/publications/citizen-science-food-system/ Publication Attending to nature: understanding care and caring relations in forest management in the UK https://www.sei.org/publications/care-and-forest-management/ This paper examines the concept of ‘care’ to understand the caring relationship between people and woodland, and how this can be extended to forest conservation. It examines forest management at a UK publicly owned site to reveal the social, economic, and institutional contexts of care and caring relations and their role in management decisions. This paper examines the concept of ‘care’ to understand the caring relationship between people and woodland, and how this can be extended to forest conservation. It examines forest management at a UK publicly owned site to reveal the social, economic, and institutional contexts of care and caring relations and their role in management decisions.

]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 15:42:48 +0000 Alison Dyke; Annemarieke de Bruin https://www.sei.org/publications/care-and-forest-management/ Publication Biodiversity indicators https://www.sei.org/publications/biodiversity-indicators/ This UK Government POSTbrief summarizes the different suites of indicators used to monitor specific aspects of biodiversity in the context of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. This UK Government POSTbrief summarizes the different suites of indicators used to monitor specific aspects of biodiversity in the context of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 14:59:03 +0000 Amy Molotoks https://www.sei.org/publications/biodiversity-indicators/ Publication A framework for analysing cross-border climate change impacts, responses and their propagation https://www.sei.org/publications/cross-border-climate-change/ SEI researchers and co-authors presented a conceptual framework and accompanying terminology for describing and analyzing cross-border climate change impacts at the EGU General Assembly 2021. SEI researchers and co-authors presented a conceptual framework and accompanying terminology for describing and analyzing cross-border climate change impacts at the EGU General Assembly 2021.

]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 13:19:57 +0000 Chris West; Magnus Benzie; Henrik Carlsen https://www.sei.org/publications/cross-border-climate-change/ Publication Dryland nature based solutions for informal settlement upgrading schemes in Africa https://www.sei.org/publications/dryland-nbs-upgrading/ This policy brief shares ten practical recommendations for urban policy makers, planners, designers and local authorities in dryland areas in Africa. These can strengthen informal settlement upgrading schemes by optimizing nature-based solutions (NBS) and the ecosystem services they provide. This policy brief shares ten practical recommendations for urban policy makers, planners, designers and local authorities in dryland areas in Africa. These can strengthen informal settlement upgrading schemes by optimizing nature-based solutions (NBS) and the ecosystem services they provide.

]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 13:12:47 +0000 Steve Cinderby https://www.sei.org/publications/dryland-nbs-upgrading/ Publication Chiquitania rural water supply: Considering decentralized water infrastructure and land use change in hydrologic analysis https://www.sei.org/publications/chiquitania-water-atajados/ The Chiquitano dry forest in Bolivia, one of the world’s largest and last remaining dry forests, faces the threats of megafires and deforestation. Ongoing urban and agricultural expansion creates new pressures in this ecosystem that impose stress on surface and groundwater resources, such as lakes, rivers and aquifers. SEI has partnered with local authorities and organizations in an effort to quantify and evaluate these threats and determine how they affect the regional ecosystems. The Chiquitano dry forest in Bolivia, one of the world’s largest and last remaining dry forests, faces the threats of megafires and deforestation.

Ongoing urban and agricultural expansion creates new pressures in this ecosystem that impose stress on surface and groundwater resources, such as lakes, rivers and aquifers.

SEI has partnered with local authorities and organizations in an effort to quantify and evaluate these threats and determine how they affect the regional ecosystems.

]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 05:00:45 +0000 Marina Mautner; Marisa Escobar https://www.sei.org/publications/chiquitania-water-atajados/ Publication SEI experts dissect the new EU Taxonomy https://www.sei.org/features/sei-experts-dissect-the-eu-taxonomy/ The EU Taxonomy went into effect on 1 January 2022. What is the taxonomy and what are its benefits? How can it help tackle chemical pollution? Can natural gas and nuclear power really be labeled as sustainable? SEI’s Timothy Suljada and Charlotte Wagner discuss its pros and cons. The EU Taxonomy went into effect on 1 January 2022. What is the taxonomy and what are its benefits? How can it help tackle chemical pollution? Can natural gas and nuclear power really be labeled as sustainable? SEI’s Timothy Suljada and Charlotte Wagner discuss its pros and cons.

]]> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 08:11:15 +0000 Timothy Suljada; Charlotte Wagner; Jenny Wickman https://www.sei.org/features/sei-experts-dissect-the-eu-taxonomy/ Feature Co-productive agility and four collaborative pathways to sustainability transformations https://www.sei.org/publications/co-productive-agility/ Co-production, the collaborative weaving of research and practice by diverse societal actors, is argued to play an important role in sustainability transformations. Yet there is still poor understanding of how to navigate the tensions that emerge in these processes. Co-production, the collaborative weaving of research and practice by diverse societal actors, is argued to play an important role in sustainability transformations. Yet there is still poor understanding of how to navigate the tensions that emerge in these processes.

]]> Fri, 21 Jan 2022 11:52:48 +0000 Jonathan Green https://www.sei.org/publications/co-productive-agility/ Publication Research for city practice https://www.sei.org/publications/research-for-city-practice/ This article introduces the first issue of Cities & Health volume 4. The issue covers a range of issues including urban density and active travel, climate change adaptation and health, and supporting the health of people with complex needs through housing residential services. This article introduces the first issue of Cities & Health volume 4. The issue covers a range of issues including urban density and active travel, climate change adaptation and health, and supporting the health of people with complex needs through housing residential services.

]]> Fri, 21 Jan 2022 11:36:49 +0000 Steve Cinderby https://www.sei.org/publications/research-for-city-practice/ Publication IRDR Working Paper Series (Vol. 3): The state of knowledge on disaster risk https://www.sei.org/publications/irdr-wp-state-of-knowledge-on-dr/ As part of the development process for a global research agenda for risk-informed development, this paper provides context, baseline information and a ‘state of knowledge’ on disaster risk science. Blue and white boats on muddy water near tan and green buildings under cloudy sky, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. Photo: Wander Fleur / Unsplash. As part of the development process for a global research agenda for risk-informed development, this paper provides context, baseline information and a ‘state of knowledge’ on disaster risk science.

Blue and white boats on muddy water near tan and green buildings under cloudy sky, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. Photo: Wander Fleur / Unsplash.

]]> Fri, 21 Jan 2022 01:08:50 +0000 Michael Boyland; Minh Tran https://www.sei.org/publications/irdr-wp-state-of-knowledge-on-dr/ Publication DI: Vindkraftsbolag belägger samebyar med munkavle https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/di-vindkraftsbolag-belagger-samebyar-med-munkavle/ I en intervju med Dagens Industri berättar SEI-forskaren Rasmus Kløcker Larsen, medförfattare till rapporten ‘Avtal mellan samebyar och exploatörer – Hur påverkas renens välmående?‘ om hur samebyar riskerar att missgynnas av avtal med framförallt större företag som etablerar sig i Sápmi. I en intervju med Dagens Industri berättar SEI-forskaren Rasmus Kløcker Larsen, medförfattare till rapporten ‘Avtal mellan samebyar och exploatörer – Hur påverkas renens välmående?‘ om hur samebyar riskerar att missgynnas av avtal med framförallt större företag som etablerar sig i Sápmi.

]]> Fri, 21 Jan 2022 15:01:12 +0000 Jenny Wickman https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/di-vindkraftsbolag-belagger-samebyar-med-munkavle/ Press The role of learning in farmer-led innovation https://www.sei.org/publications/learning-farmer-led-innovation/ Learning is central to farmer-led innovation, but its role has yet to be systematically explored. This paper looks to understand the forms of learning and their contribution to farmer-led innovation during a three-year action-research project involving two groups of farmers from northern England and the Scottish Borders in the UK. Learning is central to farmer-led innovation, but its role has yet to be systematically explored. This paper looks to understand the forms of learning and their contribution to farmer-led innovation during a three-year action-research project involving two groups of farmers from northern England and the Scottish Borders in the UK.

]]> Thu, 20 Jan 2022 15:39:54 +0000 Jon Ensor; Annemarieke de Bruin https://www.sei.org/publications/learning-farmer-led-innovation/ Publication Trading deforestation – why the legality of forest-risk commodities is insufficient https://www.sei.org/publications/trading-deforestation-legality-insufficient/ Some consumer countries and blocs are developing laws to tackle deforestation linked to commodity imports. Using Brazil as an example, the authors show that measures that focus on legality alone are not sufficient to address global deforestation and may be undermined by dilution of local laws. Some consumer countries and blocs are developing laws to tackle deforestation linked to commodity imports. Using Brazil as an example, the authors show that measures that focus on legality alone are not sufficient to address global deforestation and may be undermined by dilution of local laws.

]]> Thu, 20 Jan 2022 14:48:46 +0000 Chris West https://www.sei.org/publications/trading-deforestation-legality-insufficient/ Publication