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 Strengthening the cassava value chain in Colombia through co-innovation for sustainability and circularity. https://www.sei.org/projects/strengthening-cassava-value-chain-colombia/ Cassava is Colombia’s fifth most important agricultural product and is produced in all 32 departments of the country. SEI is supporting the strengthening of the cassava value chain so it includes sustainability and circularity. Cassava is Colombia’s fifth most important agricultural product and is produced in all 32 departments of the country. SEI is supporting the strengthening of the cassava value chain so it includes sustainability and circularity.

]]> Sun, 03 Sep 2023 18:47:25 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/strengthening-cassava-value-chain-colombia/ Project Promoting sustainable biodiversity management in Rupununi, Guyana https://www.sei.org/projects/promoting-sustainable-biodiversity-management-in-guyana/ SEI LA and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) join efforts to evaluate and improve business models for the sustainable use of biodiversity to move towards a sustainable bioeconomy. This will not only contribute to food security but also will allow supporting conservation activities and financing the management of biodiversity in the Rupununi-Guyana. SEI LA and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) join efforts to evaluate and improve business models for the sustainable use of biodiversity to move towards a sustainable bioeconomy. This will not only contribute to food security but also will allow supporting conservation activities and financing the management of biodiversity in the Rupununi-Guyana. 

]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2023 00:23:37 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/promoting-sustainable-biodiversity-management-in-guyana/ Project Promoviendo la gestión sostenible de la biodiversidad en Rupununi, Guyana https://www.sei.org/projects/promoviendo-gestion-sostenible-biodiversidad-guyana/ SEI LA y el Centro de Investigación Forestal Internacional (CIFOR) aúnan esfuerzos para evaluar y mejorar los modelos de negocio para el uso sostenible de la biodiversidad con el fin de avanzar hacia una bioeconomía sostenible. Esto no sólo contribuirá a la seguridad alimentaria, sino que también permitirá apoyar las actividades de conservación y financiar la gestión de la biodiversidad en Rupununi-Guyana. SEI LA y el Centro de Investigación Forestal Internacional (CIFOR) aúnan esfuerzos para evaluar y mejorar los modelos de negocio para el uso sostenible de la biodiversidad con el fin de avanzar hacia una bioeconomía sostenible. Esto no sólo contribuirá a la seguridad alimentaria, sino que también permitirá apoyar las actividades de conservación y financiar la gestión de la biodiversidad en Rupununi-Guyana.

]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2023 00:35:47 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/promoviendo-gestion-sostenible-biodiversidad-guyana/ Project Building capacity for climate finance access through municipal partnerships in Africa and Sweden https://www.sei.org/projects/building-capacity-for-climate-finance-access-through-municipal-partnerships/ Together with UNCDF and ICLD, SEI is empowering African municipalities to access climate finance and build resilient communities. Together with UNCDF and ICLD, SEI is empowering African municipalities to access climate finance and build resilient communities.

]]> Fri, 17 May 2024 07:27:26 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/building-capacity-for-climate-finance-access-through-municipal-partnerships/ Project European Topic Centre on Climate Change Adaptation and LULUCF (ETC CA) https://www.sei.org/projects/etc-climate-change-adaptation-and-lulucf/ The European Topic Centre on Climate Change Adaptation and LULUCF (ETC CA) is a consortium of 16 European organisations with expertise in the topic area of climate change adaptation and land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) working in partnership with the European Environment Agency. The European Topic Centre on Climate Change Adaptation and LULUCF (ETC CA) is a consortium of 16 European organisations with expertise in the topic area of climate change adaptation and land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) working in partnership with the European Environment Agency.

]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:40:55 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/etc-climate-change-adaptation-and-lulucf/ Project Local2030: Coalición para la Década de Acción https://www.sei.org/publications/coalicion-local2030/ Este informe presenta la Coalición Local2030, una plataforma y red liderada por las Naciones Unidas, diseñada para apoyar y acelerar el cumplimiento a nivel local de la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible y sus 17 Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible. Este informe presenta la Coalición Local2030, una plataforma y red liderada por las Naciones Unidas, diseñada para apoyar y acelerar el cumplimiento a nivel local de la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible y sus 17 Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible.

]]> Thu, 30 Dec 2021 21:33:25 +0000 Ivonne Lobos Alva; Efraim Hernández; Mario Cárdenas https://www.sei.org/publications/coalicion-local2030/ Publication A guide to developing domestic carbon crediting mechanisms https://www.sei.org/publications/guide-domestic-carbon-crediting-mechanisms/ This guide details the basics of carbon market crediting systems, giving a user-friendly primer for policymakers at local, regional and national levels considering whether and how to establish carbon crediting mechanisms in their jurisdictions. This guide details the basics of carbon market crediting systems, giving a user-friendly primer for policymakers at local, regional and national levels considering whether and how to establish carbon crediting mechanisms in their jurisdictions.

]]> Thu, 30 Dec 2021 00:27:07 +0000 Derik Broekhoff https://www.sei.org/publications/guide-domestic-carbon-crediting-mechanisms/ Publication Seizing the urban opportunity: how national governments can recover from Covid-19, secure shared prosperity and tackle the climate crisis through cities https://www.sei.org/publications/urban-opportunity-climate-crisis-cities/ Comprising 80% of global GDP and 56% of the global population, urban centers provide a particularly pivotal venue for climate leadership that advances resiliency, supports millions of jobs and uplifts marginalized communities. This report – led by Coalition for Urban Transitions in partnership with 36 organizations throughout the world – serves as a call to action for how cities can accelerate the global transition away from carbon while revitalizing their communities. Comprising 80% of global GDP and 56% of the global population, urban centers provide a particularly pivotal venue for climate leadership that advances resiliency, supports millions of jobs and uplifts marginalized communities.

This report – led by Coalition for Urban Transitions in partnership with 36 organizations throughout the world – serves as a call to action for how cities can accelerate the global transition away from carbon while revitalizing their communities.

]]> Wed, 29 Dec 2021 23:20:59 +0000 Derik Broekhoff https://www.sei.org/publications/urban-opportunity-climate-crisis-cities/ Publication Attribution: A practical guide to navigating the blending of climate finance and carbon markets https://www.sei.org/publications/attribution-climate-finance-carbon-markets/ With much more progress to be made beyond the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to meet emissions reduction goals set forth in the Paris Agreement, an unprecedented investment is required in the coming decades to avert climate catastrophe. While financial support from climate finance and carbon markets fall well short of the investment required to meet these goals, this study examines how these largely independent funding sources can be mixed to support the emissions reductions needed. With much more progress to be made beyond the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to meet emissions reduction goals set forth in the Paris Agreement, an unprecedented investment is required in the coming decades to avert climate catastrophe.

While financial support from climate finance and carbon markets fall well short of the investment required to meet these goals, this study examines how these largely independent funding sources can be mixed to support the emissions reductions needed.

]]> Wed, 29 Dec 2021 21:19:55 +0000 Derik Broekhoff; Lambert Schneider https://www.sei.org/publications/attribution-climate-finance-carbon-markets/ Publication Screening cassava for time of maturity to respond to various market needs: Case study in African sub-tropical zones https://www.sei.org/publications/screening-cassava-maturity-market/ The objectives of this study were to screen cassava varieties and early generation clones for time of maturity to identify early, medium- and late-maturing cassava genotypes for different markets and uses. At harvest, which is typically regarded by breeders as 12 months after planting, a good number of cassava genotypes are not at their peak maturity in terms of dry yield. As a result, they are destroyed before their genetic potential is sufficiently expressed late in their growth cycle. The objectives of this study were to screen cassava varieties and early generation clones for time of maturity to identify early, medium- and late-maturing cassava genotypes for different markets and uses. At harvest, which is typically regarded by breeders as 12 months after planting, a good number of cassava genotypes are not at their peak maturity in terms of dry yield. As a result, they are destroyed before their genetic potential is sufficiently expressed late in their growth cycle.

]]> Wed, 29 Dec 2021 13:39:06 +0000 Anderson Kehbila https://www.sei.org/publications/screening-cassava-maturity-market/ Publication Navigating the (yet) unseen waters of Cerrado, the Brazilian savanna https://www.sei.org/publications/unseen-waters-cerrado-brazilian-savanna/ Water-related conservation efforts, such as the Water Producer Programme, are under way to align ecosystem services maintenance with sustainable agricultural practices in the Cerrado biome. Water-related conservation efforts, such as the Water Producer Programme, are under way to align ecosystem services maintenance with sustainable agricultural practices in the Cerrado biome.

]]> Wed, 29 Dec 2021 09:21:44 +0000 Cláudia Coleoni; Tomás Carvalho https://www.sei.org/publications/unseen-waters-cerrado-brazilian-savanna/ Publication Seasonal hydrogen storage for sustainable renewable energy integration in the electricity sector: A case study of Finland https://www.sei.org/publications/geological-hydrogen-storage-finland/ With wind power becoming an increasingly prominent part of Finland’s energy grid, researchers analysed geological hydrogen storage as a way of storing excess energy produced for later use. With wind power becoming an increasingly prominent part of Finland’s energy grid, researchers analysed geological hydrogen storage as a way of storing excess energy produced for later use.

]]> Wed, 29 Dec 2021 01:08:34 +0000 Jason Veysey https://www.sei.org/publications/geological-hydrogen-storage-finland/ Publication The application of soft systems thinking in SDG interaction studies: a comparison between SDG interactions at national and subnational levels in Colombia https://www.sei.org/publications/soft-systems-sdg-colombia/ Though researchers and policymakers have sought to understand the interactions between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by Agenda 2030, the methods that have been used to evaluate them give only a limited view of their impacts. Though researchers and policymakers have sought to understand the interactions between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by Agenda 2030, the methods that have been used to evaluate them give only a limited view of their impacts.

]]> Wed, 29 Dec 2021 00:07:19 +0000 Efraim Hernández; Ivonne Lobos Alva; Mario Cárdenas; David Purkey; Måns Nilsson https://www.sei.org/publications/soft-systems-sdg-colombia/ Publication Green New Year’s resolutions https://www.sei.org/features/be-more-green-this-new-year/ Are you looking for ideas for green New Year’s Resolutions? As carbon emissions rebound to pre-Covid-19 levels[footnote]University of Exeter, 2021. Global carbon emissions rebound close to pre-COVID levels. https://phys.org/news/2021-11-global-carbon-emissions-rebound-pre-covid.html[/footnote], it’s time to consider how we can reduce our carbon footprint in 2022. SEI researchers share six tips on how to have the most sustainable year in 2022. Are you looking for ideas for green New Year’s Resolutions? As carbon emissions rebound to pre-Covid-19 levels[footnote]University of Exeter, 2021. Global carbon emissions rebound close to pre-COVID levels. https://phys.org/news/2021-11-global-carbon-emissions-rebound-pre-covid.html[/footnote], it’s time to consider how we can reduce our carbon footprint in 2022.

SEI researchers share six tips on how to have the most sustainable year in 2022.

]]> Wed, 29 Dec 2021 05:00:24 +0000 Joanne Morris; Alison Dyke https://www.sei.org/features/be-more-green-this-new-year/ Feature A model-based estimate of the groundwater budget and associated uncertainties in Bengaluru, India https://www.sei.org/publications/groundwater-budget-bengaluru-india/ Measuring groundwater supply in urban communities is particularly challenging because of the myriad man-made factors that affect hydrological extraction and recharge. Many data gaps exist because of the relatively low frequency and density of groundwater monitoring. Our objective was to provide a more detailed picture of the urban groundwater budget for Bengaluru, India, with a specific interest in estimating pumping and recharge. Measuring groundwater supply in urban communities is particularly challenging because of the myriad man-made factors that affect hydrological extraction and recharge. Many data gaps exist because of the relatively low frequency and density of groundwater monitoring.

Our objective was to provide a more detailed picture of the urban groundwater budget for Bengaluru, India, with a specific interest in estimating pumping and recharge.

 

]]> Tue, 28 Dec 2021 20:30:49 +0000 Vishal Mehta https://www.sei.org/publications/groundwater-budget-bengaluru-india/ Publication Investing in agricultural water management: Pathways to a sustainable future https://www.sei.org/publications/investing-in-agricultural-water-management-pathways-to-a-sustainable-future/ Researchers point to trends in agricultural water investment to guide international financing institutions and international development agencies in their decision-making when considering how to direct their resources. Researchers point to trends in agricultural water investment to guide international financing institutions and international development agencies in their decision-making when considering how to direct their resources.

]]> Tue, 28 Dec 2021 01:28:13 +0000 Annette Huber-Lee; Eric Kemp-Benedict; Emily Ghosh; Anisha Nazareth https://www.sei.org/publications/investing-in-agricultural-water-management-pathways-to-a-sustainable-future/ Publication Capital cost subsidies through India’s Ujjwala cooking gas programme promote rapid adoption of liquefied petroleum gas but not regular use https://www.sei.org/publications/subsidies-indias-ujjwala-cooking-gas-programme-lpg/ This study shows that while capital cost subsidies in India led to wider adoption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cookstoves, it has not caused households to abandon higher-polluting solid fuels, meaning the programme’s impact has been limited in its ability to deliver health and environmental improvements. This study shows that while capital cost subsidies in India led to wider adoption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cookstoves, it has not caused households to abandon higher-polluting solid fuels, meaning the programme’s impact has been limited in its ability to deliver health and environmental improvements.

]]> Mon, 27 Dec 2021 23:25:50 +0000 Rob Bailis https://www.sei.org/publications/subsidies-indias-ujjwala-cooking-gas-programme-lpg/ Publication The risk of survey bias in self-reports vs. actual consumption of clean cooking fuels https://www.sei.org/publications/survey-bias-clean-cooking/ Nearly 3 billion people across the globe lack access to clean cooking fuels like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity. They depend on polluting solid fuels like firewood, crop residues and dung burned in open fires or simple stoves. Furthermore, evidence indicates that even when people gain access to cleaner fuels, they persistently “stack” stoves, or use polluting options in parallel with clean ones. Nearly 3 billion people across the globe lack access to clean cooking fuels like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity. They depend on polluting solid fuels like firewood, crop residues and dung burned in open fires or simple stoves.

Furthermore, evidence indicates that even when people gain access to cleaner fuels, they persistently “stack” stoves, or use polluting options in parallel with clean ones.

]]> Mon, 27 Dec 2021 21:44:48 +0000 Rob Bailis https://www.sei.org/publications/survey-bias-clean-cooking/ Publication Everybody stacks: Lessons from household energy case studies to inform design principles for clean energy transitions https://www.sei.org/publications/stove-stacking-household-energy-case-studies/ Even households that have adopted cleaner-burning cookstoves complement them with biomass-fueled stoves in a practice called “stacking,” undermining health and environmental goals. This article synthesizes 11 case studies of clean cooking programmes in low- and middle-income countries and proposes seven principles for clean cooking programme design and policy. Even households that have adopted cleaner-burning cookstoves complement them with biomass-fueled stoves in a practice called “stacking,” undermining health and environmental goals.

This article synthesizes 11 case studies of clean cooking programmes in low- and middle-income countries and proposes seven principles for clean cooking programme design and policy.

]]> Mon, 27 Dec 2021 21:13:27 +0000 Rob Bailis https://www.sei.org/publications/stove-stacking-household-energy-case-studies/ Publication Empowerment in water, sanitation and hygiene index https://www.sei.org/publications/empowerment-water-sanitation-hygiene-index/ The authors report the methodological approach and data from a pilot study in Burkina Faso, using the Empowerment in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Index (EWI), a novel survey-based index designed to measure agency, participation and empowerment in the water and sanitation sector. The authors report the methodological approach and data from a pilot study in Burkina Faso, using the Empowerment in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Index (EWI), a novel survey-based index designed to measure agency, participation and empowerment in the water and sanitation sector.

]]> Mon, 27 Dec 2021 15:15:15 +0000 Sarah Dickin https://www.sei.org/publications/empowerment-water-sanitation-hygiene-index/ Publication