SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 09:40:44 +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 e-EUBCE 2020: Bioeconomy’s role in the post-pandemic economic recovery https://www.sei.org/events/e-eubce-2020-bioeconomys-role-in-the-post-pandemic-economic-recovery/ The 28th EUBCE expanded its portfolio from energy-related biomass production and conversion of bio-based feedstock to integrate the bioeconomy into its conference programme. SEI experts will speak about different models and mechanisms for steering sustainable bioeconomy governance, with insights from our research in Kenya, Thailand, Colombia and Sweden. A modern biogas plant under the cloudscape of an approaching thunderstorm. Photo: kontrast fotodesign / Getty Images. The 28th EUBCE expanded its portfolio from energy-related biomass production and conversion of bio-based feedstock to integrate the bioeconomy into its conference programme. SEI experts will speak about different models and mechanisms for steering sustainable bioeconomy governance, with insights from our research in Kenya, Thailand, Colombia and Sweden.

A modern biogas plant under the cloudscape of an approaching thunderstorm. Photo: kontrast fotodesign / Getty Images.

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2020 13:44:17 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/e-eubce-2020-bioeconomys-role-in-the-post-pandemic-economic-recovery/ Event Data, software and regulatory issues constrain development of demand-responsive transport https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/data-software-and-regulatory-issues-constrain-development-of-demand-responsive-transport/ Within the framework of the international project RESPONSE, SEI Tallinn conducted research on demand-responsive transport in the Nordic and Baltic countries to provide an overview of factors hindering and facilitating the development of such services. The study found that development of demand-responsive transport holds great promise for the region. Impediments include a lack of awareness about the potential of such transport options, data protection issues, software development, funding stre... Within the framework of the international project RESPONSE, SEI Tallinn conducted research on demand-responsive transport in the Nordic and Baltic countries to provide an overview of factors hindering and facilitating the development of such services. The study found that development of demand-responsive transport holds great promise for the region. Impediments include a lack of awareness about the potential of such transport options, data protection issues, software development, funding streams, and varying regulations on provider procurement.

]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2020 10:41:11 +0000 Helen Saarniit https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/data-software-and-regulatory-issues-constrain-development-of-demand-responsive-transport/ Press Cuatro formas de comunicar mejor en reuniones virtuales https://www.sei.org/perspectives/cuatro-formas-de-comunicar-mejor-en-reuniones-virtuales/ Si la pandemia de COVID-19 ha subrayado algo en el trabajo de los investigadores, es que debemos aprender a comunicarnos aún más efectivamente en línea. Durante los últimos meses, la mayoría de nuestras interacciones se han visto forzadas a espacios virtuales de reunión. Esto plantea muchos desafíos para una comunicación científica más reflexiva, abierta y accesible. Si la pandemia de COVID-19 ha subrayado algo en el trabajo de los investigadores, es que debemos aprender a comunicarnos aún más efectivamente en línea.

Durante los últimos meses, la mayoría de nuestras interacciones se han visto forzadas a espacios virtuales de reunión. Esto plantea muchos desafíos para una comunicación científica más reflexiva, abierta y accesible.

]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2020 01:29:45 +0000 Charmaine Caparas https://www.sei.org/perspectives/cuatro-formas-de-comunicar-mejor-en-reuniones-virtuales/ Perspective Heat demand in the Swedish residential building stock – pathways on demand reduction potential based on socio-technical analysis https://www.sei.org/publications/heat-demand-in-the-swedish-residential-building-stock-pathways-on-demand-reduction-potential-based-on-socio-technical-analysis/ This study aims to estimate the potential for reducing heat energy demand in the Swedish residential building stock taking into account behavioural, structural and technological categories of drivers. The researchers found that by fostering at least two of the categories of drivers leads to the achievement of the energy intensity target for 2050. Applying all drivers leads to 61% energy intensity reduction, with technological drivers being the most important. This study aims to estimate the potential for reducing heat energy demand in the Swedish residential building stock taking into account behavioural, structural and technological categories of drivers. The researchers found that by fostering at least two of the categories of drivers leads to the achievement of the energy intensity target for 2050. Applying all drivers leads to 61% energy intensity reduction, with technological drivers being the most important.

 

]]> Tue, 07 Jul 2020 08:18:59 +0000 Georgia Savvidou; Björn Nykvist https://www.sei.org/publications/heat-demand-in-the-swedish-residential-building-stock-pathways-on-demand-reduction-potential-based-on-socio-technical-analysis/ Publication Ministers from 9 countries call for ambitious action to accelerate the low-carbon transition of industry https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/ministers-from-9-countries-call-for-action-to-accelerate-the-low-carbon-transition-of-industry/ In a joint ministerial statement released on 7 July 2020, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom have called for continued momentum and ambitious action to ensure an industry transition that tackles the climate crisis, creates decent jobs and delivers prosperity for all. The statement was announced by Eva Svedling, State Secretary for Climate Policy and Agenda 2030, at the Industry Transition Day. In a joint ministerial statement released on 7 July 2020, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom have called for continued momentum and ambitious action to ensure an industry transition that tackles the climate crisis, creates decent jobs and delivers prosperity for all.

The statement was announced by Eva Svedling, State Secretary for Climate Policy and Agenda 2030, at the Industry Transition Day.

]]> Tue, 07 Jul 2020 04:00:19 +0000 Robert Watt; Ylva Rylander https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/ministers-from-9-countries-call-for-action-to-accelerate-the-low-carbon-transition-of-industry/ Press Acknowledging uncertainty in evolutionary reconstructions of ecological niches https://www.sei.org/publications/acknowledging-uncertainty-in-evolutionary-reconstructions-of-ecological-niches/ This article proposes a new framework for coding ecological niches and reconstructing their evolution that explicitly acknowledges and incorporates the uncertainty introduced by incomplete niche characterization. Temperature and precipitation tolerances were generally broad and conserved among orioles, with niche reduction and specialization limited to a few terminal branches. This article proposes a new framework for coding ecological niches and reconstructing their evolution that explicitly acknowledges and incorporates the uncertainty introduced by incomplete niche characterization. Temperature and precipitation tolerances were generally broad and conserved among orioles, with niche reduction and specialization limited to a few terminal branches.

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2020 14:17:59 +0000 Vivian Ribeiro https://www.sei.org/publications/acknowledging-uncertainty-in-evolutionary-reconstructions-of-ecological-niches/ Publication Opening the black pot: A service design-driven approach to understanding the use of cleaner cookstoves in peri-urban Kenya https://www.sei.org/publications/opening-the-black-pot-a-service-design-driven-approach-to-understanding-the-use-of-cleaner-cookstoves-in-peri-urban-kenya/ This policy brief examines the use of service design methods, behavioral insights and social-ecological systems thinking for guiding the design of more successful clean cookstove interventions. This policy brief examines the use of service design methods, behavioral insights and social-ecological systems thinking for guiding the design of more successful clean cookstove interventions.

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2020 10:01:37 +0000 Fiona Lambe; Ylva Ran https://www.sei.org/publications/opening-the-black-pot-a-service-design-driven-approach-to-understanding-the-use-of-cleaner-cookstoves-in-peri-urban-kenya/ Publication Beyond fire: Backcasting a pathway to fully electric cooking in rural Kenya by 2030 https://www.sei.org/publications/beyond-fire-backcasting/ The results of a successful participatory exercise to introduce the concept of transitioning to electricity for cooking in a rural off-grid community in Kenya, asking residents to envisage how the transition would happen. The results of a successful participatory exercise to introduce the concept of transitioning to electricity for cooking in a rural off-grid community in Kenya, asking residents to envisage how the transition would happen.

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2020 07:53:54 +0000 Fiona Lambe; Anne Nyambane; Rob Bailis https://www.sei.org/publications/beyond-fire-backcasting/ Publication Policies, not finance, are the obstacle to decarbonizing industry https://www.sei.org/features/policies-not-finance-are-the-obstacle-to-decarbonizing-industry/ New research about the prospects for a low-carbon transition for different industrial sectors reaches a surprising conclusion: The chief barrier to industrial transition is not a lack of capital, but the absence of clear policies on related issues, such as biofuels and waste. In this Q&A, Björn Nykvist, co-author of a forthcoming report on these issues for the Stockholm Sustainable Finance Centre, elaborates on this key insight. New research about the prospects for a low-carbon transition for different industrial sectors reaches a surprising conclusion: The chief barrier to industrial transition is not a lack of capital, but the absence of clear policies on related issues, such as biofuels and waste. In this Q&A, Björn Nykvist, co-author of a forthcoming report on these issues for the Stockholm Sustainable Finance Centre, elaborates on this key insight.

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2020 14:52:51 +0000 Andrea Lindblom https://www.sei.org/features/policies-not-finance-are-the-obstacle-to-decarbonizing-industry/ Feature Back to the future: Backcasting the energy transition in rural Kenya https://www.sei.org/features/back-to-the-future-kenya/ SEI and Hivos highlight knock-on development effects of cooking with electricity, underscoring that working together with communities and investing in their social capacity are key to success in the transition. SEI and Hivos highlight knock-on development effects of cooking with electricity, underscoring that working together with communities and investing in their social capacity are key to success in the transition.

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2020 08:00:04 +0000 Fiona Lambe https://www.sei.org/features/back-to-the-future-kenya/ Feature Video: Bridging the fossil fuel production gap for a just, sustainable, and resilient recovery https://www.sei.org/features/video-bridging-the-fossil-fuel-production-gap-for-a-just-sustainable-and-resilient-recovery/ Amid COVID-19, many governments are doubling down on investments in fossil fuels, rather than transitioning to away from oil, gas and coal. In this online event, government and UN officials joined climate and investment experts to talk about how to build back better. Watch the recording below. Amid COVID-19, many governments are doubling down on investments in fossil fuels, rather than transitioning to away from oil, gas and coal. In this online event, government and UN officials joined climate and investment experts to talk about how to build back better.

Watch the recording below.

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2020 14:33:33 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/video-bridging-the-fossil-fuel-production-gap-for-a-just-sustainable-and-resilient-recovery/ Feature Five ways to finance the industry transition https://www.sei.org/perspectives/finance-industry-transition/ The Energy Transitions Commission Mission Possible report estimates that an industry transition to a low-carbon pathway by mid-century would cost the economy less than 0.5% of global GDP. But financing the industry transition is about more than just finance. It is also about the policy levers necessary to overcome barriers to financing the transition. Analysis of 30 industry transition roadmaps in 10 countries reveals five common finance needs to deliver the transition. The Energy Transitions Commission Mission Possible report estimates that an industry transition to a low-carbon pathway by mid-century would cost the economy less than 0.5% of global GDP. But financing the industry transition is about more than just finance. It is also about the policy levers necessary to overcome barriers to financing the transition.

Analysis of 30 industry transition roadmaps in 10 countries reveals five common finance needs to deliver the transition.

]]> Mon, 06 Jul 2020 13:00:05 +0000 Zoha Shawoo https://www.sei.org/perspectives/finance-industry-transition/ Perspective Floating resilience: understanding sea level rise and human mobility in Thailand https://www.sei.org/projects/impact-of-sea-level-rise-on-livelihoods-and-human-mobility-gulf-of-thailand/ How is sea level rise impacting local communities? Their livelihoods? Their mobility decisions? This project will generate new insights and approaches on the impacts of SLR and the adaptation strategies pursued by households especially the role of mobility. How is sea level rise impacting local communities? Their livelihoods? Their mobility decisions? This project will generate new insights and approaches on the impacts of SLR and the adaptation strategies pursued by households especially the role of mobility. 

]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2020 08:35:29 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/impact-of-sea-level-rise-on-livelihoods-and-human-mobility-gulf-of-thailand/ Project The Global Atmospheric Pollution Forum (GAPF) emission inventory preparation tool and its application to Côte d’Ivoire https://www.sei.org/publications/emission-inventory-tool-cote-divoire/ This article describes the application of a user-friendly emission inventory tool to Côte d’Ivoire and identifies traditional technologies and practices, such as domestic cooking using biomass, as important emission sources. This article describes the application of a user-friendly emission inventory tool to Côte d’Ivoire and identifies traditional technologies and practices, such as domestic cooking using biomass, as important emission sources.

]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2020 09:36:03 +0000 Kevin Hicks; Johan C. I. Kuylenstierna https://www.sei.org/publications/emission-inventory-tool-cote-divoire/ Publication A breakthrough in carbon footprinting for agricultural commodities https://www.sei.org/features/breakthrough-carbon-footprints-ag/ A new approach to life cycle analysis for agricultural commodities can calculate precise footprints for thousands of individual commodity trade flows from source locality to export market, taking into account deforestation risk, transport modes and distances, farming practices and more. A new approach to life cycle analysis for agricultural commodities can calculate precise footprints for thousands of individual commodity trade flows from source locality to export market, taking into account deforestation risk, transport modes and distances, farming practices and more.

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2020 14:39:02 +0000 Caspar Trimmer https://www.sei.org/features/breakthrough-carbon-footprints-ag/ Feature The crucial link between air pollution and biodiversity loss https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/nitrogen-biodiversity-loss/ Kevin Hicks, International Nitrogen Initiative (INI) Europe Director contributed to the July issue of Air Quality News newsletter talking about the impact of ammonia emissions. Kevin Hicks, International Nitrogen Initiative (INI) Europe Director contributed to the July issue of Air Quality News newsletter talking about the impact of ammonia emissions.

]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2020 17:20:58 +0000 Howard Cambridge https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/nitrogen-biodiversity-loss/ Press Bridging the fossil fuel production gap for a just, sustainable, and resilient recovery https://www.sei.org/events/bridging-the-fossil-fuel-production-gap-for-a-just-sustainable-and-resilient-recovery/ This online London Climate Action Week Event convened report authors and government and UN officials to preview emerging findings from the 2020 Production Gap Report, a special issue that will speak to major changes in energy markets and government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. This online London Climate Action Week Event convened report authors and government and UN officials to preview emerging findings from the 2020 Production Gap Report, a special issue that will speak to major changes in energy markets and government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2020 15:38:18 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/bridging-the-fossil-fuel-production-gap-for-a-just-sustainable-and-resilient-recovery/ Event Trase Yearbook 2020 launch webinar https://www.sei.org/events/webinar-trase-yearbook-2020-launch/ This webinar launched Trase Yearbook 2020. SEI’s Toby Gardner and Global Canopy’s Helen Bellfield presented key findings from the Yearbook, which was followed by comments from a panel of experts. Photo: Trase / Schema Design This webinar launched Trase Yearbook 2020. SEI’s Toby Gardner and Global Canopy’s Helen Bellfield presented key findings from the Yearbook, which was followed by comments from a panel of experts.

Photo: Trase / Schema Design

]]> Mon, 29 Jun 2020 12:49:15 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/webinar-trase-yearbook-2020-launch/ Event Citizen participation in food systems policy making: A case study of a citizens’ assembly https://www.sei.org/publications/citizen-food-assembly/ This paper presents a case study on the York Citizen Food Assembly held in November 2019. It includes a summary of the procedure for hosting a citizens’ assembly, a summary of the findings, and future recommendations. This paper presents a case study on the York Citizen Food Assembly held in November 2019. It includes a summary of the procedure for hosting a citizens’ assembly, a summary of the findings, and future recommendations.

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2020 13:38:27 +0000 Chris West; Paulina Flores-Martínez https://www.sei.org/publications/citizen-food-assembly/ Publication Making gender count in water, sanitation and health https://www.sei.org/features/making-gender-count-water-sanitation-health/ The Empowerment in WASH Index, a new survey tool, makes gender disparities in water, sanitation and hygiene services visible and measurable. The Empowerment in WASH Index, a new survey tool, makes gender disparities in water, sanitation and hygiene services visible and measurable.

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2020 23:00:43 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/making-gender-count-water-sanitation-health/ Feature