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 Lessons learned from the Baltic Sea https://www.sei.org/perspectives/lessons-learned-from-the-baltic-sea/ Karina Barquet, the BONUS RETURN project coordinator, reflects on lessons she has learned through her work addressing issues confronting the Baltic Sea region. Her observations draw on her experiences through the BONUS RETURN project, which piloted promising ecotechnologies that can help address sustainable development issues in the region, and reduce the run-off that is harming its aquatic life. Karina Barquet, the BONUS RETURN project coordinator, reflects on lessons she has learned through her work addressing issues confronting the Baltic Sea region. Her observations draw on her experiences through the BONUS RETURN project, which piloted promising ecotechnologies that can help address sustainable development issues in the region, and reduce the run-off that is harming its aquatic life.

]]> Thu, 10 Dec 2020 23:47:37 +0000 Karina Barquet https://www.sei.org/perspectives/lessons-learned-from-the-baltic-sea/ Perspective The Paris Agreement five years on https://www.sei.org/features/the-paris-agreement-five-years-on/ Five years after the Paris Agreement was adopted, SEI looks at what the historical agreement said on various issues of climate politics, where we are now — and where we need to go. Five years after the Paris Agreement was adopted, SEI looks at what the historical agreement said on various issues of climate politics, where we are now — and where we need to go.

]]> Fri, 11 Dec 2020 12:36:13 +0000 Andrea Lindblom https://www.sei.org/features/the-paris-agreement-five-years-on/ Feature I’m dreaming of a green Christmas https://www.sei.org/events/green-christmas/ On 10 December, 19:30–21:00 GMT, a panel of sustainability experts will get you into the festive spirit by answering your questions and providing tips on how to make your holiday greener. On 10 December, 19:30–21:00 GMT, a panel of sustainability experts will get you into the festive spirit by answering your questions and providing tips on how to make your holiday greener.

 

]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2020 10:17:27 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/green-christmas/ Event Ethical dilemmas when using citizen science for early detection of invasive tree pests and diseases https://www.sei.org/publications/citizen-science-for-detection-of-tree-health-issues/ This article presents five challenges facing citizen science use for detecting early tree health issues. This article presents five challenges facing citizen science use for detecting early tree health issues.

]]> Thu, 10 Dec 2020 11:58:47 +0000 Alison Dyke https://www.sei.org/publications/citizen-science-for-detection-of-tree-health-issues/ Publication New SEI Initiative explores opportunities for gridless solutions https://www.sei.org/publications/new-initiative-explores-opportunities-for-gridless-solutions/ How can we pick up the pace in expanding access to electricity, clean water and safe sanitation globally? How do we leverage the opportunities from innovations that can function off the grid? When should we deploy stand-alone solar power kits, decentralized desalination plants, or onsite sanitation solutions; instead of building more pipes and stringing more wires? The SEI Initiative on Gridless Solutions is addressing these questions. How can we pick up the pace in expanding access to electricity, clean water and safe sanitation globally? How do we leverage the opportunities from innovations that can function off the grid? When should we deploy stand-alone solar power kits, decentralized desalination plants, or onsite sanitation solutions; instead of building more pipes and stringing more wires? The SEI Initiative on Gridless Solutions is addressing these questions.

]]> Thu, 10 Dec 2020 11:40:08 +0000 Olle Olsson; Karina Barquet https://www.sei.org/publications/new-initiative-explores-opportunities-for-gridless-solutions/ Publication Expert assessment of future vulnerability of the global peatland carbon sink https://www.sei.org/publications/assessing-future-vulnerability-of-the-global-peatland-carbon-sink/ The paper draws together scientific consensus on the importance of understanding peatland science better for future climate change predictions and for its inclusion in earth system models. The paper draws together scientific consensus on the importance of understanding peatland science better for future climate change predictions and for its inclusion in earth system models.

]]> Thu, 10 Dec 2020 10:50:51 +0000 Andreas Heinemeyer https://www.sei.org/publications/assessing-future-vulnerability-of-the-global-peatland-carbon-sink/ Publication Making research work for smallholder farmers https://www.sei.org/features/making-research-work-for-smallholder-farmers/ Smallholder farming systems make up a majority of farms in low-income countries, contributing to 50-80% of food consumed in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Yet, smallholder farming in these regions remains generally inefficient with low productivity rates, and smallholders face obstacles in terms of technology, market, and capital access. Smallholder farming systems make up a majority of farms in low-income countries, contributing to 50-80% of food consumed in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Yet, smallholder farming in these regions remains generally inefficient with low productivity rates, and smallholders face obstacles in terms of technology, market, and capital access.

]]> Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:16:48 +0000 Ebba Engström; Anneli Sundin https://www.sei.org/features/making-research-work-for-smallholder-farmers/ Feature Five big ideas to make the Global Goal on Adaptation live up to its name https://www.sei.org/perspectives/five-big-ideas-global-goal-on-adaptation/ Despite the rhetoric of the “global” goal established in the Paris Agreement, adaptation to climate change is still seen as a domestic issue. But since climate impacts – and the effects of adaptation measures themselves – cascade across national borders and drive systemic risk globally, we need to plan adaptation accordingly. Despite the rhetoric of the “global” goal established in the Paris Agreement, adaptation to climate change is still seen as a domestic issue. But since climate impacts – and the effects of adaptation measures themselves – cascade across national borders and drive systemic risk globally, we need to plan adaptation accordingly.

]]> Thu, 10 Dec 2020 19:51:07 +0000 Katy Harris; Magnus Benzie https://www.sei.org/perspectives/five-big-ideas-global-goal-on-adaptation/ Perspective The Paris Agreement Five Years On: It’s time to realize a just transition away from fossil fuels https://www.sei.org/perspectives/paris-agreement-five-years-on-just-transition-away-from-fossil-fuels/ After the Paris Agreement’s silence on fossil fuels, and with the release of this year’s Production Gap Report making clear the urgency with which action is needed, what steps can be taken to finally ensure a global movement away from oil, gas and coal? After the Paris Agreement’s silence on fossil fuels, and with the release of this year’s Production Gap Report making clear the urgency with which action is needed, what steps can be taken to finally ensure a global movement away from oil, gas and coal?

]]> Wed, 09 Dec 2020 07:37:01 +0000 Cleo Verkuijl; Michael Lazarus https://www.sei.org/perspectives/paris-agreement-five-years-on-just-transition-away-from-fossil-fuels/ Perspective The unequal burden of air pollution https://www.sei.org/events/the-unequal-burden-of-air-pollution/ The costs of air pollution are not borne evenly. Those in informal employment, like street vendors or waste collectors, with little income security and access to labour protection, health services and social safety nets, are left the most exposed. Daily exposure to high levels of air pollution is a fact of life for many informal workers. Photo: Adli Wahid / Unsplash The costs of air pollution are not borne evenly. Those in informal employment, like street vendors or waste collectors, with little income security and access to labour protection, health services and social safety nets, are left the most exposed.

Daily exposure to high levels of air pollution is a fact of life for many informal workers. Photo: Adli Wahid / Unsplash

 

]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2020 10:28:01 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/the-unequal-burden-of-air-pollution/ Event Increasing Climate Ambition, Improving Human Health, and Spurring Economic Development in the Face of a Pandemic https://www.sei.org/events/climate-ambition-human-health-and-economic-development-in-the-face-of-a-pandemic/ On 8 December, 09:00–10:00 EST (15:00–16:00 CET), we discussed the challenges and opportunities for countries to raise their climate ambition in a way that also spurs economic development and improves human health by reducing environmental impacts. On 8 December, 09:00–10:00 EST (15:00–16:00 CET), we discussed the challenges and opportunities for countries to raise their climate ambition in a way that also spurs economic development and improves human health by reducing environmental impacts.

 

]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2020 09:58:06 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/climate-ambition-human-health-and-economic-development-in-the-face-of-a-pandemic/ Event Beyond the 100 billion dollar goal for climate finance https://www.sei.org/perspectives/beyond-the-100-billion-dollar-goal-for-climate-finance/ Assessing progress towards the US$100 billion goal in climate finance is notoriously difficult. Five years after the Paris Agreement was reached, it’s time to advance the broader goal of shifting all finance flows to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. Assessing progress towards the US$100 billion goal in climate finance is notoriously difficult. Five years after the Paris Agreement was reached, it’s time to advance the broader goal of shifting all finance flows to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.

]]> Tue, 08 Dec 2020 07:20:47 +0000 Kevin M. Adams https://www.sei.org/perspectives/beyond-the-100-billion-dollar-goal-for-climate-finance/ Perspective Transforming knowledge management for climate action: a road map for accelerated discovery and learning https://www.sei.org/publications/transforming-knowledge-management-for-climate-action-a-road-map-for-accelerated-discovery-and-learning/ This report aims to provide inspiration and direction for the stakeholders and actors involved with information and knowledge management to help them meet the challenge of the global climate change and sustainable development agendas. Though it focuses on the climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction communities in Europe, the technologies and approaches it advocates can provide a springboard for wider purposes. This report aims to provide inspiration and direction for the stakeholders and actors involved with information and knowledge management to help them meet the challenge of the global climate change and sustainable development agendas. Though it focuses on the climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction communities in Europe, the technologies and approaches it advocates can provide a springboard for wider purposes.

]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2020 10:39:12 +0000 Julia Barrott; Sukaina Bharwani; Karen Brandon https://www.sei.org/publications/transforming-knowledge-management-for-climate-action-a-road-map-for-accelerated-discovery-and-learning/ Publication The Paris Agreement and the future of climate negotiations https://www.sei.org/perspectives/paris-agreement-and-future-of-climate-negotiations/ In the five years since the Paris Agreement was reached, international climate negotiations have been fraught with frustrations. It is time to own up to the fact that their role has changed – and to seize the opportunity offered by the Covid-19 pandemic to reconsider the format of COPs. In the five years since the Paris Agreement was reached, international climate negotiations have been fraught with frustrations. It is time to own up to the fact that their role has changed – and to seize the opportunity offered by the Covid-19 pandemic to reconsider the format of COPs.

]]> Mon, 07 Dec 2020 07:22:47 +0000 Richard J.T. Klein https://www.sei.org/perspectives/paris-agreement-and-future-of-climate-negotiations/ Perspective Burning dilemma: Sugarcane farmers struggle in Thailand’s green vision https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/burning-dilemma-sugarcane-farmers/ As Thailand pushes towards a bioeconomy green vision, it’s making a concerted effort to reduce crop burning and improve air quality. But cut off from much of the profits generated from their crops, the kingdom’s sugarcane farmers continue to burn just to survive According to May Thazin Aung, a research fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute, bioeconomy can drive economic development, but “you cannot have sustainability without an equal society”. As Thailand pushes towards a bioeconomy green vision, it’s making a concerted effort to reduce crop burning and improve air quality. But cut off from much of the profits generated from their crops, the kingdom’s sugarcane farmers continue to burn just to survive

According to May Thazin Aung, a research fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute, bioeconomy can drive economic development, but “you cannot have sustainability without an equal society”.

]]> Tue, 05 Jan 2021 11:34:33 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/burning-dilemma-sugarcane-farmers/ Press Local efforts help protect the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in Myanmar https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/local-efforts-help-protect-the-endangered-irrawaddy-dolphins-in-myanmar/ The iconic Irrawaddy dolphins of Myanmar are facing a range of threats from economic development activities that are degrading their habitats and food sources. They are critical for fishery resources and water security of Ayeyarwady River. Local groups along the Ayeyarwady River are coming together to protect the dolphins and their habitats. Cooperative fishing culture of dolphin and fisherman Photo by: Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project The iconic Irrawaddy dolphins of Myanmar are facing a range of threats from economic development activities that are degrading their habitats and food sources. They are critical for fishery resources and water security of Ayeyarwady River. Local groups along the Ayeyarwady River are coming together to protect the dolphins and their habitats.

Cooperative fishing culture of dolphin and fisherman Photo by: Living Irrawaddy Dolphin Project

]]> Wed, 13 Jan 2021 04:17:13 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/local-efforts-help-protect-the-endangered-irrawaddy-dolphins-in-myanmar/ Press Gomanan — a documentary film on the Bagobo Tagabawa https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/gomanan-diinsider-film-feature/ Bagobo Tagabawa is an indigenous community in the Philippines protecting the endangered Philippine eagle and surrounding biodiversity. SEI Asia media grantee Pia Duran tells the story of how indigenous knowledge can mitigate the worst effects of climate change. Bagobo Tagabawa is an indigenous community in the Philippines protecting the endangered Philippine eagle and surrounding biodiversity. SEI Asia media grantee Pia Duran tells the story of how indigenous knowledge can mitigate the worst effects of climate change.

]]> Wed, 13 Jan 2021 04:39:56 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/gomanan-diinsider-film-feature/ Press The Production Gap Report 2020 https://www.sei.org/publications/production-gap-report-2020/ A year after the first Production Gap Report revealed the gulf between countries’ planned fossil fuel production and the global levels needed to limit warming to 1.5°C and 2°C, the 2020 report considers this issue in the context of COVID-19. While it finds that the production gap is still set to widen, the report also recognizes that the world stands at a turning point, with a healthier and more resilient future still a possibility. A year after the first Production Gap Report revealed the gulf between countries’ planned fossil fuel production and the global levels needed to limit warming to 1.5°C and 2°C, the 2020 report considers this issue in the context of COVID-19. While it finds that the production gap is still set to widen, the report also recognizes that the world stands at a turning point, with a healthier and more resilient future still a possibility.

]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2020 10:34:18 +0000 Peter Erickson; Michael Lazarus; Cleo Verkuijl; Emily Yehle; Ploy Achakulwisut; Sivan Kartha; Greg Muttitt; Claudia Strambo https://www.sei.org/publications/production-gap-report-2020/ Publication Social-ecological transformation in cities in Asia https://www.sei.org/publications/social-ecological-transformation-in-cities-in-asia/ Social-ecological transformation in Asian cities is instrumental to achieving many global development and climate targets. As dense settlements of human and economic activity, Asian cities present unique challenges but also opportunities for low-carbon transitions. Social-ecological transformations in citieswarrant a deeper context-specific analysis of ‘who winsand who loses’ as a result of urban transitions. Photo: Markus Winkler/Unsplash Social-ecological transformation in Asian cities is instrumental to achieving many global development and climate targets. As dense settlements of human and economic activity, Asian cities present unique challenges but also opportunities for low-carbon transitions.

Social-ecological transformations in cities
warrant a deeper context-specific analysis of ‘who wins
and who loses’ as a result of urban transitions. Photo: Markus Winkler/Unsplash

]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2020 04:52:04 +0000 Diane Archer; Charrlotte Adelina https://www.sei.org/publications/social-ecological-transformation-in-cities-in-asia/ Publication ASEAN uses SEI flagship tool to produce 6th Energy Outlook https://www.sei.org/features/asean-uses-sei-flagship-tool-to-produce-6th-energy-outlook/ For the first time, the ASEAN Centre for Energy developed the report entirely in-house, with assistance from SEI’s Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP). For the first time, the ASEAN Centre for Energy developed the report entirely in-house, with assistance from SEI’s Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP).

]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2020 18:03:38 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/asean-uses-sei-flagship-tool-to-produce-6th-energy-outlook/ Feature