SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:53:00 +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 In-use emissions from biomass and LPG stoves measured during a large, multi-year cookstove intervention study in rural India https://www.sei.org/publications/emissions-biomass-lpg-stoves-rural-india/ The study aimed to measure in-home emissions from a variety of stoves in rural Indian communities, including rocket-style biomass stoves, forced draft gasifiers, and liquified petroleum gas (LPG). The aim was to compare variability in emissions between stove types while capturing seasonal and geographical variation. The study aimed to measure in-home emissions from a variety of stoves in rural Indian communities, including rocket-style biomass stoves, forced draft gasifiers, and liquified petroleum gas (LPG). The aim was to compare variability in emissions between stove types while capturing seasonal and geographical variation.

]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2021 21:28:39 +0000 Rob Bailis https://www.sei.org/publications/emissions-biomass-lpg-stoves-rural-india/ Publication Forest, farms and fuelwood: Measuring changes in fuelwood collection and consumption behavior from a clean cooking intervention https://www.sei.org/publications/forest-farms-fuelwood-cooking-india/ In many developing countries, fuelwood can contribute to 50–90% of all household energy, largely driven by the 2.6 billion people dependent on it to meet their daily household cooking energy requirements. This dependency can negatively impact forest stocks and climate change. Both a transition to cleaner cooking and sustainable management of forest resources to ensure long-term supply are essential for dependent communities. In many developing countries, fuelwood can contribute to 50–90% of all household energy, largely driven by the 2.6 billion people dependent on it to meet their daily household cooking energy requirements. This dependency can negatively impact forest stocks and climate change.

Both a transition to cleaner cooking and sustainable management of forest resources to ensure long-term supply are essential for dependent communities.

]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2021 00:59:28 +0000 Rob Bailis https://www.sei.org/publications/forest-farms-fuelwood-cooking-india/ Publication Low-cost interventions to reduce emissions and fuel consumption in open wood fires in rural communities: Evidence from field surveys https://www.sei.org/publications/reduce-emissions-consumption-wood-fires-kenya/ This article evaluates the impact of a grass-roots campaign promoting adoption of simple modifications to cooking fires in rural communities in Western Kenya. The modifications consist of adding rockbeds to open fires or simple woodstoves, increasing airflow, improving combustion efficiency, and decreasing the distance between the fire and cooking pot, which improves heat transfer. This article evaluates the impact of a grass-roots campaign promoting adoption of simple modifications to cooking fires in rural communities in Western Kenya. The modifications consist of adding rockbeds to open fires or simple woodstoves, increasing airflow, improving combustion efficiency, and decreasing the distance between the fire and cooking pot, which improves heat transfer.

]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2021 00:23:29 +0000 Rob Bailis https://www.sei.org/publications/reduce-emissions-consumption-wood-fires-kenya/ Publication Migrant workers in times of Covid-19: An empathetic disaster response for Myanmar workers in Thailand https://www.sei.org/perspectives/migrant-workers-covid-disaster-response/ During disasters, the needs of migrants, especially undocumented labors, are often overlooked as states tend to prioritize their own citizens. During the Covid-19 pandemic, migrant workers faced further anxiety and stigma. Thailand’s civil society played an important role in assisting migrant workers during the pandemic through an empathetic and humane approach. This should be replicated by the Thai government’s wider disaster risk reduction measures in the future. During disasters, the needs of migrants, especially undocumented labors, are often overlooked as states tend to prioritize their own citizens. During the Covid-19 pandemic, migrant workers faced further anxiety and stigma. Thailand’s civil society played an important role in assisting migrant workers during the pandemic through an empathetic and humane approach. This should be replicated by the Thai government’s wider disaster risk reduction measures in the future.

]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2021 08:20:19 +0000 Camille Pross https://www.sei.org/perspectives/migrant-workers-covid-disaster-response/ Perspective Tinker, tailor or transform: Gender equality amidst social-ecological change https://www.sei.org/publications/tinker-gender-equality-social-ecological-change/ Global visions of environmental change consider gender equality to be a foundation of sustainable social-ecological systems. In this study, we seek to understand how different social-ecological narratives shape gender equality approaches and impacts. Photo: Hakan Nural / Unsplash. Global visions of environmental change consider gender equality to be a foundation of sustainable social-ecological systems. In this study, we seek to understand how different social-ecological narratives shape gender equality approaches and impacts.

Photo: Hakan Nural / Unsplash.

]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2021 05:43:31 +0000 https://www.sei.org/publications/tinker-gender-equality-social-ecological-change/ Publication COP26: what it delivered and what’s next https://www.sei.org/features/cop26-outcomes-and-outlook/ From pathways to global net-zero emissions, meeting climate finance promises and a stronger focus on loss and damage, SEI researchers outlined seven priorities for COP26. Now that the COP26 outcomes have sunk in, it is time to take stock and look ahead. From pathways to global net-zero emissions, meeting climate finance promises and a stronger focus on loss and damage, SEI researchers outlined seven priorities for COP26. Now that the COP26 outcomes have sunk in, it is time to take stock and look ahead.

]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2021 07:21:47 +0000 Andrea Lindblom; Cleo Verkuijl https://www.sei.org/features/cop26-outcomes-and-outlook/ Feature Role of environmental awareness in implementing farmland conservation measures https://www.sei.org/publications/role-of-environmental-awareness-in-farmland-conservation/ This article finds that Estonian farmers mostly apply land management measures that are related to soil fertility and that the farmers are more concerned about soil fertility than the wider impact on nature. The farmers with high levels of environmental concern use agri-environmental measures more. This article finds that Estonian farmers mostly apply land management measures that are related to soil fertility and that the farmers are more concerned about soil fertility than the wider impact on nature. The farmers with high levels of environmental concern use agri-environmental measures more.

]]> Fri, 10 Dec 2021 14:15:18 +0000 Helen Poltimäe; Kaja Peterson https://www.sei.org/publications/role-of-environmental-awareness-in-farmland-conservation/ Publication A Framework for Global Science in Support of Risk-informed Sustainable Development and Planetary Health https://www.sei.org/publications/a-framework-for-global-science-in-support-of-risk-informed-sustainable-development-and-planetary-health/ Solutions to the combined risks and crises facing humanity and the planet can be found through the collaborative efforts made to drive change through utilizing all relevant knowledge and policy resources, including new knowledge acquired from the research set out in this document. Solutions to the combined risks and crises facing humanity and the planet can be found through the collaborative efforts made to drive change through utilizing all relevant knowledge and policy resources, including new knowledge acquired from the research set out in this document.

]]> Fri, 10 Dec 2021 08:47:33 +0000 https://www.sei.org/publications/a-framework-for-global-science-in-support-of-risk-informed-sustainable-development-and-planetary-health/ Publication Human Rights Day 2021 https://www.sei.org/features/human-rights-day-2021/ Equality and sustainability are tightly interwoven. Learn more about SEI’s joined-up approach to improving the health and wellbeing of our planet and ALL its inhabitants as we #StandUp4HumanRights. Equality and sustainability are tightly interwoven. Learn more about SEI’s joined-up approach to improving the health and wellbeing of our planet and ALL its inhabitants as we #StandUp4HumanRights.

]]> Thu, 09 Dec 2021 20:04:28 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/human-rights-day-2021/ Feature Climate emotions: it is ok to feel the way you do https://www.sei.org/publications/climate-emotions-ok-feel-way-you-do/ This commentary piece charts and discusses the emotions expressed in scientists’ handwritten letters on the climate crisis. This commentary piece charts and discusses the emotions expressed in scientists’ handwritten letters on the climate crisis.

]]> Thu, 09 Dec 2021 15:27:32 +0000 Neal Haddaway https://www.sei.org/publications/climate-emotions-ok-feel-way-you-do/ Publication Islands as spaces of innovation for marine biodiversity https://www.sei.org/perspectives/islands-as-spaces-of-innovation-for-marine-biodiversity/ Island systems are among the most vulnerable to climate change, which is predicted to induce shifts in temperature, rainfall and sea levels. While these changes exacerbate challenges and put people, infrastructure and biodiversity at risk in unprecedented ways, they are also leading to innovation. Island systems are among the most vulnerable to climate change, which is predicted to induce shifts in temperature, rainfall and sea levels. While these changes exacerbate challenges and put people, infrastructure and biodiversity at risk in unprecedented ways, they are also leading to innovation.

]]> Wed, 08 Dec 2021 14:04:57 +0000 Karina Barquet https://www.sei.org/perspectives/islands-as-spaces-of-innovation-for-marine-biodiversity/ Perspective Bridging the knowledge gap between distance health and social care solutions and the environment https://www.sei.org/publications/health-and-social-care-solutions/ The coronavirus pandemic has created a variety of challenges for people seeking health services. In this brief by SEI and the Nordic Council of Ministers, SEI applied two different kinds of tools to the question of putting health and social care services online to improve access. The coronavirus pandemic has created a variety of challenges for people seeking health services. In this brief by SEI and the Nordic Council of Ministers, SEI applied two different kinds of tools to the question of putting health and social care services online to improve access.

]]> Tue, 07 Dec 2021 12:00:08 +0000 Marcus Carson; Somya Joshi; Nelson Ekane; Nina Weitz; Efraim Hernández; Oskar Penje; Shinan Wang https://www.sei.org/publications/health-and-social-care-solutions/ Publication Combining service design and discrete choice experiments for intervention design: An application to weather index insurance https://www.sei.org/publications/service-design-discrete-choice-intervention-design-weather-index-insurance/ This paper provides a detailed description of the methodological steps involved in conducting a Service Design study in combination with Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs). This paper provides a detailed description of the methodological steps involved in conducting a Service Design study in combination with Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs).

]]> Tue, 07 Dec 2021 11:25:02 +0000 Ylva Ran; Matthew Osborne; Fiona Lambe https://www.sei.org/publications/service-design-discrete-choice-intervention-design-weather-index-insurance/ Publication Ringmajandust pärsib nii teadmiste kui toetava keskkonna nappus https://www.sei.org/features/ringmajandust-parsib-teadmiste-ja-toetava-keskkonna-nappus/ Ringmajanduse põhimõtete rakendamiseks jääb Eesti ettevõtetel puudu nii teadmistest kui toetavast keskkonnast, tõdesid ettevõtjad ja eksperdid veebiseminaril “Ringmajanduse parimad praktikad – väljakutsed ja võimalused.” Ringmajanduse põhimõtete rakendamiseks jääb Eesti ettevõtetel puudu nii teadmistest kui toetavast keskkonnast, tõdesid ettevõtjad ja eksperdid veebiseminaril “Ringmajanduse parimad praktikad – väljakutsed ja võimalused.”

]]> Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:11:39 +0000 Kadi Väli https://www.sei.org/features/ringmajandust-parsib-teadmiste-ja-toetava-keskkonna-nappus/ Feature Better data is necessary, but not sufficient, to enable sustainable trade https://www.sei.org/publications/sustainable-trade-data/ This discussion paper has been written by SEI’s Chris West as part of a series of trade and nature discussion papers highlighting the insights and findings from ongoing research across the GCRF TRADE Hub. This discussion paper has been written by SEI’s Chris West as part of a series of trade and nature discussion papers highlighting the insights and findings from ongoing research across the GCRF TRADE Hub.

]]> Mon, 06 Dec 2021 12:08:49 +0000 Chris West https://www.sei.org/publications/sustainable-trade-data/ Publication Using a co-created transdisciplinary approach to explore the complexity of air pollution in informal settlements https://www.sei.org/publications/novel-air-pollution-research/ This paper describes the use of novel co-created transdisciplinary research to gain greater understanding of how air pollution is perceived in an informal settlement (Mukuru) in Nairobi, Kenya. Participatory and creative methods, using arts and humanities, provided new opportunities for dialogue and critical reflection within the community. This paper describes the use of novel co-created transdisciplinary research to gain greater understanding of how air pollution is perceived in an informal settlement (Mukuru) in Nairobi, Kenya. Participatory and creative methods, using arts and humanities, provided new opportunities for dialogue and critical reflection within the community.

]]> Mon, 06 Dec 2021 11:37:24 +0000 Sarah West; Steve Cinderby; Fiona Lambe; Cassilde Muhoza https://www.sei.org/publications/novel-air-pollution-research/ Publication Europe’s cross-border trade, human security and financial connections: A climate risk perspective https://www.sei.org/publications/eu-climate-change-risk/ As the effects of climate change begin to take hold, people are focusing more attention on the impacts that occur far away from the location of the initial activity. As the effects of climate change begin to take hold, people are focusing more attention on the impacts that occur far away from the location of the initial activity.

]]> Mon, 06 Dec 2021 10:50:45 +0000 Chris West; Emilie Stokeld; Simon Croft https://www.sei.org/publications/eu-climate-change-risk/ Publication Exploring the Water-Energy Nexus in California via an Integrative Modeling Approach https://www.sei.org/publications/water-energy-nexus-california/ Researchers use a custom water modelling tool unique to planning for the Southwestern United States (SwWEAP) to quantify the relationship between water and energy in various climate scenarios in California. Researchers use a custom water modelling tool unique to planning for the Southwestern United States (SwWEAP) to quantify the relationship between water and energy in various climate scenarios in California.

]]> Sat, 04 Dec 2021 00:39:22 +0000 David Yates; Vishal Mehta; Annette Huber-Lee; David Purkey https://www.sei.org/publications/water-energy-nexus-california/ Publication Assessing inequalities in wellbeing at a neighbourhood scale in low-middle-income-country secondary cities and their implications for long-term livability https://www.sei.org/publications/assessing-inequalities-in-wellbeing-at-a-neighbourhood-scale-in-low-middle-income-country-secondary-cities-livability/ What is required to deliver urban wellbeing in the global south? This paper helps to answer that question, using a novel interdisciplinary mixed methods study undertaken in two rapidly changing cities (one Thai and one Kenyan). What is required to deliver urban wellbeing in the global south? This paper helps to answer that question, using a novel interdisciplinary mixed methods study undertaken in two rapidly changing cities (one Thai and one Kenyan).

]]> Fri, 03 Dec 2021 08:36:22 +0000 Steve Cinderby; Diane Archer; Vishal Mehta; Romanus Opiyo; Rachel Pateman; Cassilde Muhoza; Charrlotte Adelina; Heidi Tuhkanen https://www.sei.org/publications/assessing-inequalities-in-wellbeing-at-a-neighbourhood-scale-in-low-middle-income-country-secondary-cities-livability/ Publication Living with trash: Bangkok’s waste pickers and the recycling economy https://www.sei.org/features/bangkoks-waste-pickers-recycling-economy/ Bangkok’s waste pickers provide an invaluable contribution to the “circular economy.” But they lead lives of poverty, facing livelihood insecurity, health risks and stigma in their daily work. The circular economy does not explore critical questions of labour conditions and the precarious existence of those who add value to the discards and wastes. Recognizing and including waste pickers as formal workers is critical to Thailand achieving success with recycling targets and the circular economy. Bangkok’s waste pickers provide an invaluable contribution to the “circular economy.” But they lead lives of poverty, facing livelihood insecurity, health risks and stigma in their daily work. The circular economy does not explore critical questions of labour conditions and the precarious existence of those who add value to the discards and wastes. Recognizing and including waste pickers as formal workers is critical to Thailand achieving success with recycling targets and the circular economy.

]]> Fri, 03 Dec 2021 02:11:51 +0000 Rajesh Daniel https://www.sei.org/features/bangkoks-waste-pickers-recycling-economy/ Feature