SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 19:33:11 +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 Moving the UN climate talks online: analysing the options https://www.sei.org/perspectives/analysing-options-online-climate-negotiations/ One year into the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re seeing that online tools can provide a valuable platform for meetings, including those of international organizations or intergovernmental bodies. It is time to examine which elements of the UN climate talks are most compatible with online platforms – and could even benefit from them. One year into the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re seeing that online tools can provide a valuable platform for meetings, including those of international organizations or intergovernmental bodies. It is time to examine which elements of the UN climate talks are most compatible with online platforms – and could even benefit from them.

]]> Mon, 19 Apr 2021 06:39:58 +0000 Marcus Carson; Richard J.T. Klein; Inès Bakhtaoui https://www.sei.org/perspectives/analysing-options-online-climate-negotiations/ Perspective Datos de Trase revelan el papel de la UE en la deforestación https://www.sei.org/features/datos-de-trase-revelan-el-papel-de-la-ue-en-la-deforestacion/ La UE es el segundo mayor importador de productos agrícolas relacionados con la deforestación tropical, según un informe publicado hoy por la Oficina de Política Europea del Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza (WWF). El informe utiliza la herramienta y los datos Trase de SEI para generar nuevos conocimientos sobre los vínculos entre las cadenas de suministro de productos básicos de la UE y la deforestación en regiones clave del mundo. La UE es el segundo mayor importador de productos agrícolas relacionados con la deforestación tropical, según un informe publicado hoy por la Oficina de Política Europea del Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza (WWF).

El informe utiliza la herramienta y los datos Trase de SEI para generar nuevos conocimientos sobre los vínculos entre las cadenas de suministro de productos básicos de la UE y la deforestación en regiones clave del mundo.

]]> Mon, 19 Apr 2021 18:42:31 +0000 Michael Lathuillière; Toby Gardner; Karen Brandon https://www.sei.org/features/datos-de-trase-revelan-el-papel-de-la-ue-en-la-deforestacion/ Feature Preparatory UN climate negotiations move online, COP Bureau decides https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/preparatory-un-climate-negotiations-move-online/ The body ultimately responsible for the process of managing international climate negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has agreed to move preparatory climate negotiations online. Senior Research Fellow Richard Klein, who leads the SEI project “Online Climate Negotiations: Making a Virtue of Necessity?”, says the decision was inevitable in light of the urgency of international climate action. The body ultimately responsible for the process of managing international climate negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has agreed to move preparatory climate negotiations online. Senior Research Fellow Richard Klein, who leads the SEI project “Online Climate Negotiations: Making a Virtue of Necessity?”, says the decision was inevitable in light of the urgency of international climate action.

]]> Fri, 16 Apr 2021 14:40:50 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/preparatory-un-climate-negotiations-move-online/ Press Citizen science and food: A review https://www.sei.org/publications/citizen-science-methods-and-food/ This document is a rapid evidence review of citizen science methods, focusing on how they can be applied to the UK Food Standards Agency priority areas. This document is a rapid evidence review of citizen science methods, focusing on how they can be applied to the UK Food Standards Agency priority areas.

]]> Thu, 15 Apr 2021 12:45:07 +0000 Sarah West; Rachel Pateman https://www.sei.org/publications/citizen-science-methods-and-food/ Publication Can poop power the planet? https://www.sei.org/features/can-poop-power-the-planet/ In a podcast aired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, SEI Researcher Daniel Ddiba answers questions about using poop as an alternative to fossil fuel-based energy sources. Ddiba, whose research focuses on waste management solutions, discusses the use of human and animal waste for energy on an episode of “Tai Asks Why?”, an interview series hosted by a Canadian seventh-grader. Dung beetle rolling poop at Kruger National Park, Lesotho. Image: Westend61 / Getty Images. In a podcast aired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, SEI Researcher Daniel Ddiba answers questions about using poop as an alternative to fossil fuel-based energy sources. Ddiba, whose research focuses on waste management solutions, discusses the use of human and animal waste for energy on an episode of “Tai Asks Why?”, an interview series hosted by a Canadian seventh-grader.

Dung beetle rolling poop at Kruger National Park, Lesotho. Image: Westend61 / Getty Images.

]]> Thu, 15 Apr 2021 11:34:21 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/can-poop-power-the-planet/ Feature Trase data reveal the EU’s role in deforestation https://www.sei.org/features/trase-data-reveal-eus-role-in-deforestation/ The EU is the second-largest importer of agricultural commodities linked to tropical deforestation, according to a report published today by the European Policy Office of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The report uses SEI’s Trase tool and data to generate new insights about the links between the EU’s commodity supply chains and deforestation in key world regions. The EU is the second-largest importer of agricultural commodities linked to tropical deforestation, according to a report published today by the European Policy Office of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

The report uses SEI’s Trase tool and data to generate new insights about the links between the EU’s commodity supply chains and deforestation in key world regions.

]]> Wed, 14 Apr 2021 05:30:21 +0000 Michael Lathuillière; Toby Gardner; Karen Brandon https://www.sei.org/features/trase-data-reveal-eus-role-in-deforestation/ Feature Greenhouse gas and black carbon inventory: Training Africa’s experts https://www.sei.org/features/greenhouse-gas-and-black-carbon-inventory-training-africas-experts/ SEI, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) in Senegal organized a hybrid physical and virtual workshop on 1st and 2nd October 2020 to train national experts to use the greenhouse gas (GHG) and black carbon inventory for the country’s waste sector. This exercise was part of the project “Support to the implementation of National Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the waste sector in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.” The training took place in Daka... SEI, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) in Senegal organized a hybrid physical and virtual workshop on 1st and 2nd October 2020 to train national experts to use the greenhouse gas (GHG) and black carbon inventory for the country’s waste sector. This exercise was part of the project “Support to the implementation of National Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the waste sector in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.” The training took place in Dakar, Senegal.

]]> Thu, 15 Apr 2021 10:16:40 +0000 Philip Osano; Cassilde Muhoza; Lawrence Nzuve https://www.sei.org/features/greenhouse-gas-and-black-carbon-inventory-training-africas-experts/ Feature Trends in fossil fuel extraction https://www.sei.org/publications/trends-in-fossil-fuel-extraction/ This paper looks at the implications for a shared effort to align global fossil fuel production with climate limits. This paper looks at the implications for a shared effort to align global fossil fuel production with climate limits.

]]> Tue, 13 Apr 2021 20:05:07 +0000 Ploy Achakulwisut; Peter Erickson https://www.sei.org/publications/trends-in-fossil-fuel-extraction/ Publication Barriers and opportunities for achieving sustainable climate neutral cities  https://www.sei.org/features/financing-sustainable-climate-neutral-cities%e2%80%af/ Cities have become champions of the work towards a fossil-free society, with ambitious goals of climate neutrality. Today, there is no lack of sustainable, climate-friendly and smart solutions when it comes to achieving these goals, but challenges remain in terms of implementation and upscaling in city structures. Could finance be a barrier? Cities have become champions of the work towards a fossil-free society, with ambitious goals of climate neutrality. Today, there is no lack of sustainable, climate-friendly and smart solutions when it comes to achieving these goals, but challenges remain in terms of implementation and upscaling in city structures. Could finance be a barrier?

]]> Tue, 13 Apr 2021 11:04:13 +0000 Astrid Nilsson Lewis; Venni Arra; Alicia Requena Carrión https://www.sei.org/features/financing-sustainable-climate-neutral-cities%e2%80%af/ Feature Opening space for equity and justice in resilience: A subjective approach to household resilience assessment https://www.sei.org/publications/equity-and-justice-in-resilience/ This article describes a two stage, subjective approach to resilience assessment using rapid household interviews and participatory qualitative methods. This article describes a two stage, subjective approach to resilience assessment using rapid household interviews and participatory qualitative methods.

]]> Mon, 12 Apr 2021 13:20:38 +0000 Jon Ensor; John Forrester https://www.sei.org/publications/equity-and-justice-in-resilience/ Publication Exploring the future of fishery conflict through narrative scenarios https://www.sei.org/publications/future-fishery-conflict-narrative-scenarios/ Increased human activity in our oceans and global climate change are projected to spark, or exacerbate, fishery conflict but there exist no future projections of this that take into account wider societal trends. Using a multimethod approach, this paper builds four future fishery conflict scenarios. Increased human activity in our oceans and global climate change are projected to spark, or exacerbate, fishery conflict but there exist no future projections of this that take into account wider societal trends. Using a multimethod approach, this paper builds four future fishery conflict scenarios.

]]> Mon, 12 Apr 2021 10:24:59 +0000 Matthew Osborne https://www.sei.org/publications/future-fishery-conflict-narrative-scenarios/ Publication Survey: How can young people be better engaged in health and climate action in Africa and Asia? https://www.sei.org/features/survey-how-can-young-people-be-better-engaged-in-climate-action/ Young people have the right to be fully engaged in the decision-making on, and responses to, the key health and climate-related challenges of our time. How we respond to climate change today will affect young people for decades to come, particularly those across Africa and Asia. Share your views on how to best engage young people in effective health and climate action in Africa and Asia by taking the survey. Deadline is 30 April 2021. Young people have the right to be fully engaged in the decision-making on, and responses to, the key health and climate-related challenges of our time. How we respond to climate change today will affect young people for decades to come, particularly those across Africa and Asia.

Share your views on how to best engage young people in effective health and climate action in Africa and Asia by taking the survey. Deadline is 30 April 2021.

]]> Mon, 12 Apr 2021 12:35:21 +0000 Michael Boyland https://www.sei.org/features/survey-how-can-young-people-be-better-engaged-in-climate-action/ Feature SDG Synergies (Coherencia de políticas) https://www.sei.org/tools/sdg-synergies-coherencia-de-politicas/ SDG Synergies es una herramienta práctica para comprender cómo interactúan áreas y objetivos políticos, utilizando el pensamiento sistémico. Diseñado por investigadores del SEI, originalmente para apoyar a los gobiernos en la implementación de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, SDG Synergies podría ser invaluable dentro y más allá del campo de la sostenibilidad. SDG Synergies es una herramienta práctica para comprender cómo interactúan áreas y objetivos políticos, utilizando el pensamiento sistémico. Diseñado por investigadores del SEI, originalmente para apoyar a los gobiernos en la implementación de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, SDG Synergies podría ser invaluable dentro y más allá del campo de la sostenibilidad.

]]> Tue, 13 Apr 2021 01:00:00 +0000 https://www.sei.org/tools/sdg-synergies-coherencia-de-politicas/ Tool Juhend loodusdirektiivi art 6.4. rakendamiseks Eestis https://www.sei.org/publications/juhend-loodusdirektiivi-art-6-4-rakendamiseks-eestis/ Kui planeeringu elluviimisega võib eeldatavalt kaasneda oluline mõju Natura 2000 võrgustiku alale, tuleb keskkonnamõju strateegiline hindamise käigus läbi viia nn Natura hindamine. Kui planeeringu elluviimisega võib eeldatavalt kaasneda oluline mõju Natura 2000 võrgustiku alale, tuleb keskkonnamõju strateegiline hindamise käigus läbi viia nn Natura hindamine.

]]> Fri, 09 Apr 2021 11:15:20 +0000 Kaja Peterson https://www.sei.org/publications/juhend-loodusdirektiivi-art-6-4-rakendamiseks-eestis/ Publication A metric for spatially explicit contributions to science-based species targets https://www.sei.org/publications/star-metric-for-species-targets/ This article describes how a new metric for species threat abatement and restoration (STAR) can be used to identify actions to halt and reverse species extinction across the globe. Doi Phu Langka, Pha Chang Noi, Pong, Phayao, Thailand. Photo: boudewijn_huysmans / Unsplash. This article describes how a new metric for species threat abatement and restoration (STAR) can be used to identify actions to halt and reverse species extinction across the globe.

Doi Phu Langka, Pha Chang Noi, Pong, Phayao, Thailand. Photo: boudewijn_huysmans / Unsplash.

]]> Fri, 09 Apr 2021 07:39:36 +0000 Jonathan Green https://www.sei.org/publications/star-metric-for-species-targets/ Publication The feasibility of heavy battery electric trucks https://www.sei.org/publications/feasibility-heavy-battery-electric-trucks/ It is generally assumed that heavy battery electric freight trucks are unlikely to play a significant role in decarbonization strategies, due to a number of limitations. However, this article argues that this assumption is incorrect and that, with fast charging technology, the prospect of electrifying these vehicles becomes significantly more realistic. It is generally assumed that heavy battery electric freight trucks are unlikely to play a significant role in decarbonization strategies, due to a number of limitations. However, this article argues that this assumption is incorrect and that, with fast charging technology, the prospect of electrifying these vehicles becomes significantly more realistic.

]]> Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:00:25 +0000 Björn Nykvist; Olle Olsson https://www.sei.org/publications/feasibility-heavy-battery-electric-trucks/ Publication Tipping point in sight for electrifying heavy trucks, new study shows https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/tipping-point-in-sight-for-electrifying-heavy-trucks-new-study-shows/ A new study by SEI shows that electric battery-powered freight trucks can be economically competitive with diesel trucks. The study challenges a long-held view that has previously dismissed electric freight trucks as too costly. With battery technology improving rapidly, heavy battery electric trucks can compete – and likely soon. To be commercially competitive, such vehicles need one critical piece of infrastructure: fast charging networks. A new study by SEI shows that electric battery-powered freight trucks can be economically competitive with diesel trucks. The study challenges a long-held view that has previously dismissed electric freight trucks as too costly. With battery technology improving rapidly, heavy battery electric trucks can compete – and likely soon. To be commercially competitive, such vehicles need one critical piece of infrastructure:  fast charging networks.

]]> Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:28:03 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/tipping-point-in-sight-for-electrifying-heavy-trucks-new-study-shows/ Press Using artificial intelligence to detect permafrost thawing https://www.sei.org/features/artificial-intelligence-permafrost-thawing/ A new collaboration will deploy the latest technology to fill critical knowledge gaps on permafrost thaw and soil organic carbon. A new collaboration will deploy the latest technology to fill critical knowledge gaps on permafrost thaw and soil organic carbon.

]]> Thu, 08 Apr 2021 13:35:32 +0000 Matthew Fielding; Julia Barrott; Annika Flensburg https://www.sei.org/features/artificial-intelligence-permafrost-thawing/ Feature SDG Synergies https://www.sei.org/tools/sdg-synergies/ SDG Synergies is a practical tool for understanding how groups of policy areas and targets interact, using systems thinking. Designed by researchers at Stockholm Environment Institute originally to support governments in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG Synergies could be invaluable within and beyond the field of sustainability. SDG Synergies is a practical tool for understanding how groups of policy areas and targets interact, using systems thinking. Designed by researchers at Stockholm Environment Institute originally to support governments in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG Synergies could be invaluable within and beyond the field of sustainability.

]]> Fri, 09 Apr 2021 02:40:16 +0000 https://www.sei.org/tools/sdg-synergies/ Tool Climate change: Electric trucks ‘can compete with diesel ones’ https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/climate-change-electric-trucks-can-compete-with-diesel-ones/ A new study by SEI shows that electric battery-powered freight trucks can be economically competitive with diesel trucks. BBC News environmental correspondent Matt McGarth talks to Björn Nykvist, the lead author of the study. A new study by SEI shows that electric battery-powered freight trucks can be economically competitive with diesel trucks. BBC News environmental correspondent Matt McGarth talks to Björn Nykvist, the lead author of the study.

]]> Fri, 09 Apr 2021 06:45:40 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/climate-change-electric-trucks-can-compete-with-diesel-ones/ Press