SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 04:39:42 +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 What the pandemic reveals about globalization, supply chain risk, and adapting to climate change https://www.sei.org/perspectives/pandemic-globalization-supply-chain-risk-and-climate-change-adaptation/ Widespread lockdowns and border closures in response to the coronavirus pandemic have brought the often-abstract forces of globalization into stark relief for millions around the world. Widespread lockdowns and border closures in response to the coronavirus pandemic have brought the often-abstract forces of globalization into stark relief for millions around the world.

]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2020 06:00:37 +0000 Kevin M. Adams https://www.sei.org/perspectives/pandemic-globalization-supply-chain-risk-and-climate-change-adaptation/ Perspective Toothless water giants at the Indo-Pacific Virtual Conference on “Strengthening Governance of Transboundary Rivers” https://www.sei.org/perspectives/indo-pacific-virtual-conference-strengthening-governance/ Transboundary water governance comes in many forms. The Indo-Pacific Virtual Conference on “Strengthening Governance of Transboundary Rivers” spearheaded a discussion with CEOs from some of the world’s largest and most effective water governance bodies representing the Danube, Mekong and US-Canada shared waters sharing their insights. Transboundary water governance comes in many forms. The Indo-Pacific Virtual Conference on “Strengthening Governance of Transboundary Rivers” spearheaded a discussion with CEOs from some of the world’s largest and most effective water governance bodies representing the Danube, Mekong and US-Canada shared waters sharing their insights.

]]> Fri, 04 Jun 2021 22:21:31 +0000 https://www.sei.org/perspectives/indo-pacific-virtual-conference-strengthening-governance/ Perspective Segaolmejäätmete, eraldi kogutud paberi-ja pakendijäätmete ning elektroonikaromu koostise ja koguste uuring https://www.sei.org/publications/segaolmejaatmete-uuring/ Uuringu käigus saadud tulemused aitavad välja selgitada segaolmejäätmete liigilist koostist ning eri jäätmeliikide (nt biojäätmed ja pakendid) osakaalu Eesti erinevates piirkondades ja asundustüüpides. Uuringu käigus saadud tulemused aitavad välja selgitada segaolmejäätmete liigilist koostist ning eri jäätmeliikide (nt biojäätmed ja pakendid) osakaalu Eesti erinevates piirkondades ja asundustüüpides.

]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2020 20:11:59 +0000 Harri Moora; Kadi Väli https://www.sei.org/publications/segaolmejaatmete-uuring/ Publication Global climate implications of the US elections https://www.sei.org/events/global-climate-implications-of-the-us-elections/ Donald Trump or Joe Biden? How will the result of the American presidential election affect global climate and environmental policy? What environmental issues really drive the two candidates, and what aftershocks can we expect when one of them emerges as the victor? Photo: David Wall / Getty Donald Trump or Joe Biden? How will the result of the American presidential election affect global climate and environmental policy? What environmental issues really drive the two candidates, and what aftershocks can we expect when one of them emerges as the victor?

Photo: David Wall / Getty

]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2020 16:47:08 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/global-climate-implications-of-the-us-elections/ Event Co-designing climate services to integrate traditional ecological knowledge: a case study from Bali https://www.sei.org/publications/co-designing-climate-services-to-integrate-traditional-ecological-knowledge/ This SEI report discusses efforts to help Indigenous People adapt to climate change by combining their traditional ecological knowledge with scientific and technological sources of information about agriculture and climate change. It is based on a case study of climate field schools conducted in rural Bali. The authors argue that helping vulnerable indigenous populations adapt to climate change will require a reassessment of prevailing perceptions about their traditional ecological knowledge. This SEI report discusses efforts to help Indigenous People adapt to climate change by combining their traditional ecological knowledge with scientific and technological sources of information about agriculture and climate change. It is based on a case study of climate field schools conducted in rural Bali. The authors argue that helping vulnerable indigenous populations adapt to climate change will require a reassessment of prevailing perceptions about their traditional ecological knowledge.

]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2020 06:42:02 +0000 Natalia Biskupska; Albert Salamanca https://www.sei.org/publications/co-designing-climate-services-to-integrate-traditional-ecological-knowledge/ Publication Biobord platvorm toob kokku Läänemere piirkonna biomajanduse arendajad https://www.sei.org/features/biobord-platvorm-toob-kokku-laanemere-piirkonna-biomajanduse-arendajad/ Biomajandusel on jätkusuutlikumale majandusele üleminekus oluline roll, kuna see võimaldab liikuda fossiilkütustel põhinevast majandusest taastuvatel ressurssidel põhinevale majandusele. SEI Tallinn alustas rahvusvaheliste partneritega uut projekti ConnectedByBiobord, et Läänemere piirkonna biomajanduse kogukonda ja võimalusi arendada. Biomajandusel on jätkusuutlikumale majandusele üleminekus oluline roll, kuna see võimaldab liikuda fossiilkütustel põhinevast majandusest taastuvatel ressurssidel põhinevale majandusele. SEI Tallinn alustas rahvusvaheliste partneritega uut projekti ConnectedByBiobord, et Läänemere piirkonna biomajanduse kogukonda ja võimalusi arendada.

]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2020 08:21:28 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/biobord-platvorm-toob-kokku-laanemere-piirkonna-biomajanduse-arendajad/ Feature SEI experts help shape the East Africa Regional Bioeconomy Strategy https://www.sei.org/features/sei-experts-help-shape-the-east-africa-regional-bioeconomy-strategy/ A modern bioeconomy – producing materials, foods, feeds and fuels from biological resources with help of science and technology – is vital for poverty reduction and sustainability transition. The countries of Eastern Africa started to develop the regional bioeconomy strategy in 2019, with support from BioInnovate Africa Programme. Currently, the strategy is under national and regional review. SEI experts Rocio Diaz-Chavez and Ivar Virgin contributed to the strategy. A modern bioeconomy – producing materials, foods, feeds and fuels from biological resources with help of science and technology – is vital for poverty reduction and sustainability transition. The countries of Eastern Africa started to develop the regional bioeconomy strategy in 2019, with support from BioInnovate Africa Programme. Currently, the strategy is under national and regional review. SEI experts Rocio Diaz-Chavez and Ivar Virgin contributed to the strategy.

 

]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2020 14:05:30 +0000 Ekaterina Bessonova https://www.sei.org/features/sei-experts-help-shape-the-east-africa-regional-bioeconomy-strategy/ Feature WEBINAR: Can the Mekong be saved? https://www.sei.org/events/webinar-can-the-mekong-be-saved/ This webinar will discuss the role of science and local knowledge in tackling the threats facing Mekong ecosystems and communities. It is jointly organized by the SEI’s Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET) and Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN). A Cambodian womancleans fish in the waters near the Tonle Sap Lakein Cambodia. Photo: SEI Asia. This webinar will discuss the role of science and local knowledge in tackling the threats facing Mekong ecosystems and communities. It is jointly organized by the SEI’s Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET) and Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN).

A Cambodian woman
cleans fish in the waters near the Tonle Sap Lake
in Cambodia. Photo: SEI Asia.

]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2020 09:28:07 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/webinar-can-the-mekong-be-saved/ Event Just transition and the geopolitics of decarbonization in the EU https://www.sei.org/publications/just-transition-and-the-geopolitics-of-decarbonization-in-the-eu/ This brief explores how the European Union (EU) Green Deal operationalizes the concept of just transition. It shows how the EU Commission’s approach to just transition may influence the politics of decarbonization within the EU. The EU’s “territorial” approach builds engagement with subnational carbon-intensive regions as a political strategy to generate action and bottom-up support towards decarbonization, despite the resistance of the national leadership. This brief explores how the European Union (EU) Green Deal operationalizes the concept of just transition. It shows how the EU Commission’s approach to just transition may influence the politics of decarbonization within the EU. The EU’s “territorial” approach builds engagement with subnational carbon-intensive regions as a political strategy to generate action and bottom-up support towards decarbonization, despite the resistance of the national leadership.

]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2020 08:34:14 +0000 Claudia Strambo https://www.sei.org/publications/just-transition-and-the-geopolitics-of-decarbonization-in-the-eu/ Publication Scaling up sustainable finance for the most vulnerable in a post-pandemic Asia https://www.sei.org/perspectives/scaling-up-sustainable-finance-for-the-most-vulnerable-in-a-post-pandemic-asia/ As the Asia-Pacific region continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, there is growing consensus on the need for more green stimulus packages that factor in both economic and environmental sustainability, but the ability of governments to provide these differs greatly. At a time when health and food security is a priority over climate concerns, pursuing sustainable and green investments poses a challenge for governments. Photo: Getty Images As the Asia-Pacific region continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, there is growing consensus on the need for more green stimulus packages that factor in both economic and environmental sustainability, but the ability of governments to provide these differs greatly.  

At a time when health and food security is a priority over climate concerns, pursuing sustainable and green investments poses a challenge for governments. Photo: Getty Images

]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2020 08:57:17 +0000 Yossef Zahar https://www.sei.org/perspectives/scaling-up-sustainable-finance-for-the-most-vulnerable-in-a-post-pandemic-asia/ Perspective Is the landscape approach the way to govern and sustain bioeconomies? https://www.sei.org/features/landscape-approach-bioeconomy/ Landscape-based approaches rely on collaboration between diverse stakeholders to create governance structures to boost the sustainable management of natural resources. Rocio Diaz Chavez looked at the effects of landscape-based measures at Kenya’s Lake Naivasha, the subject of a case study for a recent International Energy Agency Bioenergy report analyzing the effectiveness of such initiatives. She has also contributed to the development of a regional innovation-driven bioeconomy strategy for ... Landscape-based approaches rely on collaboration between diverse stakeholders to create governance structures to boost the sustainable management of natural resources.

Rocio Diaz Chavez looked at the effects of landscape-based measures at Kenya’s Lake Naivasha, the subject of a case study for a recent International Energy Agency Bioenergy report analyzing the effectiveness of such initiatives. She has also contributed to the development of a regional innovation-driven bioeconomy strategy for Eastern Africa which will be discussed during the Eastern Africa Bioeconomy Conference.

]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:32:30 +0000 Ekaterina Bessonova https://www.sei.org/features/landscape-approach-bioeconomy/ Feature Recuperación de COVID-19 podría responder a la necesidad urgente de reducir los combustibles fósiles https://www.sei.org/features/recuperacion-de-covid-19-podria-responder-a-la-necesidad-urgente-de-reducir-los-combustibles-fosiles/ Expertos de la IEA, IISD, la ONU y muchas otras instituciones y universidades discutieron COVID-19, la producción de combustibles fósiles y los próximos pasos para una transición justa en el Foro Virtual 2020 sobre Abastecimiento de Combustibles Fósiles y Política Climática. Photo: Suriyapong Thongsawang / Getty Images Expertos de la IEA, IISD, la ONU y muchas otras instituciones y universidades discutieron COVID-19, la producción de combustibles fósiles y los próximos pasos para una transición justa en el Foro Virtual 2020 sobre Abastecimiento de Combustibles Fósiles y Política Climática.

Photo: Suriyapong Thongsawang / Getty Images

]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2020 18:21:30 +0000 Molly Killeen; Natalia Ortiz https://www.sei.org/features/recuperacion-de-covid-19-podria-responder-a-la-necesidad-urgente-de-reducir-los-combustibles-fosiles/ Feature UN Secretary General appoints SEI Research Director, Åsa Persson, to the scientific group to inform progress of the SDGs https://www.sei.org/features/asa-persson-appointed-to-the-independent-group-of-scientists/ Åsa is one of fifteen scientists from around the world that has been appointed to the Independent Group of Scientists to prepare the 2023 UN Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR). We sat down with Åsa to get her take on what this appointment means, the direction of sustainable development and what we can expect when the final report comes out in 2023. Åsa is one of fifteen scientists from around the world that has been appointed to the Independent Group of Scientists to prepare the 2023 UN Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR). We sat down with Åsa to get her take on what this appointment means, the direction of sustainable development and what we can expect when the final report comes out in 2023.

]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2020 19:39:52 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/asa-persson-appointed-to-the-independent-group-of-scientists/ Feature Development research in Sweden – a dispersed research community under pressure https://www.sei.org/publications/development-research-in-sweden-a-dispersed-research-community-under-pressure/ This report seeks to map the Swedish development research community and to develop a better understanding of the discipline’s current standing as a research field and its connections with policy-makers and practitioners. It also offers recommendations on how to strengthen the field and better support its researchers. This report seeks to map the Swedish development research community and to develop a better understanding of the discipline’s current standing as a research field and its connections with policy-makers and practitioners. It also offers recommendations on how to strengthen the field and better support its researchers.

]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2020 12:27:38 +0000 Janet Vähämäki https://www.sei.org/publications/development-research-in-sweden-a-dispersed-research-community-under-pressure/ Publication Intersectionality and energy transitions: a review of gender, social equity and low-carbon energy https://www.sei.org/publications/intersectionality-and-energy-transitions-gender-social-equity-and-low-carbon-energy/ This article explores how renewable energy projects impact gender and social equity, positing that the “greening” of energy systems does not necessarily make them any fairer or more inclusive. The authors examine how such projects often fail to tackle structural inequalities and how power asymmetries related to access and resource distribution might be better addressed. This article explores how renewable energy projects impact gender and social equity, positing that the “greening” of energy systems does not necessarily make them any fairer or more inclusive. The authors examine how such projects often fail to tackle structural inequalities and how power asymmetries related to access and resource distribution might be better addressed.

]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2020 12:13:54 +0000 Oliver Johnson; Jenny Yi-Chen Han; May Thazin Aung; Michael Boyland https://www.sei.org/publications/intersectionality-and-energy-transitions-gender-social-equity-and-low-carbon-energy/ Publication Turbulent transformation: abrupt societal disruption and climate resilient development https://www.sei.org/publications/turbulent-transformation-abrupt-societal-disruption-and-climate-resilient-development/ Responses to COVID-19 across the world have been extensive but varied and have prompted fresh consideration of the role of governance in societal transformation. This article draws on recent events to explore how societies can support more climate-resilient and equitable futures. Responses to COVID-19 across the world have been extensive but varied and have prompted fresh consideration of the role of governance in societal transformation. This article draws on recent events to explore how societies can support more climate-resilient and equitable futures.

]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2020 12:05:54 +0000 Zoha Shawoo https://www.sei.org/publications/turbulent-transformation-abrupt-societal-disruption-and-climate-resilient-development/ Publication A breakdown in globalization or a world committed to sustainability? Five scenarios for exploring the post-Covid-19 world https://www.sei.org/publications/breakdown-in-globalization-or-world-committed-to-sustainability-exploring-post-covid-19-world/ One of the few certainties of the pandemic era is the world will emerge from it radically changed. This brief sets out five potential post-pandemic scenarios which decision-makers can use to consider the effectiveness of their recovery plans and the future shape of societies. One of the few certainties of the pandemic era is the world will emerge from it radically changed. This brief sets out five potential post-pandemic scenarios which decision-makers can use to consider the effectiveness of their recovery plans and the future shape of societies.

]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2020 12:00:06 +0000 Sara Talebian; Eric Kemp-Benedict https://www.sei.org/publications/breakdown-in-globalization-or-world-committed-to-sustainability-exploring-post-covid-19-world/ Publication Ethanol as a clean cooking alternative in Sub-Saharan Africa: insights from sugarcane production and ethanol adoption sites in Malawi and Mozambique https://www.sei.org/publications/ethanol-clean-cooking-alternative-sub-saharan-africa-sugarcane-production-ethanol-adoption-malawi-mozambique/ The use of traditional biomass energy in households in Sub-Saharan Africa has been associated with a number of negative environmental, economic, social, cultural and health impacts. This chapter explores the potential of bioethanol as an alternative cooking fuel and how it could overcome many of these harmful effects. The use of traditional biomass energy in households in Sub-Saharan Africa has been associated with a number of negative environmental, economic, social, cultural and health impacts. This chapter explores the potential of bioethanol as an alternative cooking fuel and how it could overcome many of these harmful effects.

]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2020 10:17:04 +0000 Anne Nyambane; Francis X. Johnson; Caroline Ochieng https://www.sei.org/publications/ethanol-clean-cooking-alternative-sub-saharan-africa-sugarcane-production-ethanol-adoption-malawi-mozambique/ Publication Mitigating climate change via food consumption and food waste: a systematic map of behavioural interventions https://www.sei.org/publications/mitigating-climate-change-food-consumption-food-waste-behavioral-interventions/ Attention to behaviour-led demand-side policies for mitigating climate change is increasing, both in research and practice. This article maps out, and identifies knowledge clusters and gaps in, existing research on behaviourally-informed interventions designed to change consumer food consumption and food waste patterns. Attention to behaviour-led demand-side policies for mitigating climate change is increasing, both in research and practice. This article maps out, and identifies knowledge clusters and gaps in, existing research on behaviourally-informed interventions designed to change consumer food consumption and food waste patterns.

]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2020 09:37:36 +0000 Neal Haddaway https://www.sei.org/publications/mitigating-climate-change-food-consumption-food-waste-behavioral-interventions/ Publication 5 ways to revive our food systems you haven’t thought about https://www.sei.org/features/5-ways-to-revive-our-food-systems-you-havent-thought-about/ For World Food Day we highlight SEI’s research and ideas about how to power transformation in food systems in ways that might not usually come to mind. For World Food Day we highlight SEI’s research and ideas about how to power transformation in food systems in ways that might not usually come to mind. 

]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2020 13:56:03 +0000 Ekaterina Bessonova https://www.sei.org/features/5-ways-to-revive-our-food-systems-you-havent-thought-about/ Feature