SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Wed, 07 Oct 2026 07:46:14 +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 Cascading climate impacts: A new factor in European policy-making https://www.sei.org/publications/cascading-climate-impacts-new-factor/ This policy brief from the CASCADES project sets out the challenge the European Union faces in factoring in cross-border and cascading climate impacts as it revises its climate adaptation strategy and manages its external relations. This policy brief from the CASCADES project sets out the challenge the European Union faces in factoring in cross-border and cascading climate impacts as it revises its climate adaptation strategy and manages its external relations.

]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2020 13:07:20 +0000 Richard J.T. Klein https://www.sei.org/publications/cascading-climate-impacts-new-factor/ Publication Why land restoration is key to sustainable prosperity and how to set it on track https://www.sei.org/features/why-land-restoration-is-key-to-sustainable-prosperity-and-how-to-set-it-on-track/ In the journal Nature Sustainability, SEI’s Toby Gardner and fellow IPBES researchers outline a 10-pillar strategy for the effective protection and restoration of land. This comprehensive framework could guide policy during the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, launched this year, supporting climate action and realization of biodiversity commitments. In the journal Nature Sustainability, SEI’s Toby Gardner and fellow IPBES researchers outline a 10-pillar strategy for the effective protection and restoration of land. This comprehensive framework could guide policy during the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, launched this year, supporting climate action and realization of biodiversity commitments.

]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2020 10:15:22 +0000 Ekaterina Bessonova; Caspar Trimmer https://www.sei.org/features/why-land-restoration-is-key-to-sustainable-prosperity-and-how-to-set-it-on-track/ Feature Cuatro consejos para el saneamiento urbano sostenible https://www.sei.org/perspectives/cuatro-consejos-para-el-saneamiento-urbano-sostenible/ El éxito de la urbanización en el mundo depende de que los servicios de saneamiento coincidan con las realidades de la ciudad. El éxito de la urbanización en el mundo depende de que los servicios de saneamiento coincidan con las realidades de la ciudad.

]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2020 19:58:00 +0000 Kim Andersson; Caspar Trimmer https://www.sei.org/perspectives/cuatro-consejos-para-el-saneamiento-urbano-sostenible/ Perspective Linking mitigation and adaptation in long-term strategies https://www.sei.org/publications/linking-mitigation-and-adaptation-in-long-term-strategies/ This discussion brief summarizes early findings from research on how to ensure that long-term adaptation plans align with emission reduction goals and are low carbon. This discussion brief summarizes early findings from research on how to ensure that long-term adaptation plans align with emission reduction goals and are low carbon.

]]> Mon, 09 Mar 2020 15:39:39 +0000 Richard J.T. Klein https://www.sei.org/publications/linking-mitigation-and-adaptation-in-long-term-strategies/ Publication How gender affects all aspects of sustainable development https://www.sei.org/features/how-gender-affects-all-aspects-of-sustainable-development/ SEI’s work spans a range of fields related to sustainable development. What also spans the research is the role played by gender. The impacts of environmental change are never gender-neutral, and neither are responses to them. Below we asked SEI researchers to explain the gender dimensions of their work, and how these uncover opportunities for better sustainable development. SEI’s work spans a range of fields related to sustainable development. What also spans the research is the role played by gender. The impacts of environmental change are never gender-neutral, and neither are responses to them.

Below we asked SEI researchers to explain the gender dimensions of their work, and how these uncover opportunities for better sustainable development.

]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2020 23:25:51 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/how-gender-affects-all-aspects-of-sustainable-development/ Feature Learning from Nordic cities on climate action https://www.sei.org/publications/learning-from-nordic-cities-on-climate-action/ Climate action is urgent, and cities need to step up now and take the lead. This commentary brings together lessons learned from city-level climate action in Nordic countries and provides a brief analysis on their success. Climate action is urgent, and cities need to step up now and take the lead. This commentary brings together lessons learned from city-level climate action in Nordic countries and provides a brief analysis on their success.

]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2020 15:19:40 +0000 Oliver Johnson https://www.sei.org/publications/learning-from-nordic-cities-on-climate-action/ Publication Which academic search systems are suitable for systematic reviews or meta‐analyses? Evaluating retrieval qualities of Google Scholar, PubMed, and 26 other resources https://www.sei.org/publications/academic-search-suitablesystematic-reviews-analyses-google-scholar-pubmed/ Rigorous evidence identification is essential for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (evidence syntheses) because the sample selection of relevant studies determines a review’s outcome, validity, and explanatory power. Yet the search systems allowing access to this evidence provide varying levels of precision, recall, and reproducibility and also demand different levels of effort. Rigorous evidence identification is essential for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (evidence syntheses) because the sample selection of relevant studies determines a review’s outcome, validity, and explanatory power. Yet the search systems allowing access to this evidence provide varying levels of precision, recall, and reproducibility and also demand different levels of effort.

]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2020 15:08:29 +0000 Neal Haddaway https://www.sei.org/publications/academic-search-suitablesystematic-reviews-analyses-google-scholar-pubmed/ Publication Policy transfer processes and renewable energy penetration: a comparative analysis of Peru, Thailand, and Uganda https://www.sei.org/publications/policy-transfer-renewable-energy-penetration-peru-thailand-uganda/ This paper illustrates what happens when policies to support renewable energy in one country inspire policies in another country, using three case studies in Peru, Thailand and Uganda as examples. This paper illustrates what happens when policies to support renewable energy in one country inspire policies in another country, using three case studies in Peru, Thailand and Uganda as examples.

]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2020 13:02:42 +0000 Stefan Bößner; Timothy Suljada; Francis X. Johnson https://www.sei.org/publications/policy-transfer-renewable-energy-penetration-peru-thailand-uganda/ Publication Integrating the water planetary boundary with water management from local to global scales https://www.sei.org/publications/integrating-water-planetary-boundary-water-management-local-global/ The planetary boundaries framework defines the “safe operating space for humanity” represented by nine global processes that can destabilize the Earth System if perturbed. The water planetary boundary aims to set out a global limit to modifications of the water cycle by humans, but it has been challenging to translate and apply it at regional and local scales, at which water problems and management typically occur. The planetary boundaries framework defines the “safe operating space for humanity” represented by nine global processes that can destabilize the Earth System if perturbed. The water planetary boundary aims to set out a global limit to modifications of the water cycle by humans, but it has been challenging to translate and apply it at regional and local scales, at which water problems and management typically occur.

]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2020 09:49:41 +0000 Holger Hoff https://www.sei.org/publications/integrating-water-planetary-boundary-water-management-local-global/ Publication Sustainable production meets sustainable consumption https://www.sei.org/features/p2cs-results/ Sustainable consumption and production is often treated as a single concept, but the two agendas have, in practice, operated in virtual isolation – often talking about each other, but rarely interacting, and in the process critically weakening both. In 2015, SEI launched a new research initiative to explore why that is, and how to get the two working together. Sustainable consumption and production is often treated as a single concept, but the two agendas have, in practice, operated in virtual isolation – often talking about each other, but rarely interacting, and in the process critically weakening both. In 2015, SEI launched a new research initiative to explore why that is, and how to get the two working together.

]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2020 08:30:09 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/p2cs-results/ Feature Sarah West is SEI York’s new Centre Director https://www.sei.org/features/sarah-west-is-the-new-centre-director-of-sei-york/ Sarah West has worked at SEI for over a decade as a researcher at the University of York’s Environment and Geography department. Starting from this week, she took over as the Centre Director of SEI York. Learn more about Sarah and her move from research to leadership. Sarah West has worked at SEI for over a decade as a researcher at the University of York’s Environment and Geography department. Starting from this week, she took over as the Centre Director of SEI York. Learn more about Sarah and her move from research to leadership.

]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2020 07:00:27 +0000 Howard Cambridge https://www.sei.org/features/sarah-west-is-the-new-centre-director-of-sei-york/ Feature 5 ways reducing pollution can improve equality for women https://www.sei.org/features/5-ways-reducing-pollution-can-improve-equality-for-women/ Pollution affects everyone. But women face heightened risks due to structural and biological factors, including lower wages and lack of decent jobs, motherhood and menstruation, traditional gender roles and cultural norms, which usually mean that women are responsible for cooking, fetching water and cleaning, due to which they end up right next to pollution sources. Below we highlight how pollution, in its various forms, disproportionately affects women and why policies to address pollution m... Pollution affects everyone. But women face heightened risks due to structural and biological factors, including lower wages and lack of decent jobs, motherhood and menstruation, traditional gender roles and cultural norms, which usually mean that women are responsible for cooking, fetching water and cleaning, due to which they end up right next to pollution sources. Below we highlight how pollution, in its various forms, disproportionately affects women and why policies to address pollution must consider gender.

]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2020 16:19:51 +0000 Amanda Forsey; Ekaterina Bessonova https://www.sei.org/features/5-ways-reducing-pollution-can-improve-equality-for-women/ Feature Beyond ambition: Increasing the transparency, coherence and implementability of Nationally Determined Contributions https://www.sei.org/publications/beyond-ambition-ndcs-editorial/ The editorial to a special issue of the journal Climate Policy: Making Climate Action More Effective: Lessons Learned from the First Nationally Determined Contributions. The editorial to a special issue of the journal Climate Policy: Making Climate Action More Effective: Lessons Learned from the First Nationally Determined Contributions.

]]> Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:37:53 +0000 Pieter Pauw; Richard J.T. Klein https://www.sei.org/publications/beyond-ambition-ndcs-editorial/ Publication Transparency requirements under the Paris Agreement and their (un)likely impact on strengthening the ambition of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) https://www.sei.org/publications/transparency-requirements-under-paris/ An overview of possible pathways by which transparency under the Paris Agreement could lead to greater ambition, identifying potential obstacles and offering solutions. An overview of possible pathways by which transparency under the Paris Agreement could lead to greater ambition, identifying potential obstacles and offering solutions.

]]> Wed, 04 Mar 2020 14:00:10 +0000 Harro van Asselt https://www.sei.org/publications/transparency-requirements-under-paris/ Publication Why equity is key to the success of fossil fuel transitions https://www.sei.org/features/why-equity-is-key-to-the-success-of-fossil-fuel-transitions/ At a recent panel, SEI senior scientist Peter Erickson joined fossil fuel development and energy economics experts to discuss the importance of decreasing fossil fuel production and the equity implications stemming from this transition. Each panelist provided different perspectives on what transitions could look like at global, national and local levels. At a recent panel, SEI senior scientist Peter Erickson joined fossil fuel development and energy economics experts to discuss the importance of decreasing fossil fuel production and the equity implications stemming from this transition. Each panelist provided different perspectives on what transitions could look like at global, national and local levels.

]]> Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:52:53 +0000 Emily Yehle https://www.sei.org/features/why-equity-is-key-to-the-success-of-fossil-fuel-transitions/ Feature Understanding complexity in freshwater management: Practitioners’ perspectives in the Netherlands https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-complexity-in-freshwater-management/ This article applies a mixed-method approach to help unravel complexity in freshwater management. This article applies a mixed-method approach to help unravel complexity in freshwater management.

]]> Tue, 03 Mar 2020 14:31:55 +0000 Steve Cinderby https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-complexity-in-freshwater-management/ Publication Implementation of the BiH ESAP 2030+ project in Bosnia and Herzegovina is under way https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/implementation-of-the-bih-esap-2030-project-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina-is-under-way/ On 3 March, the Steering Board for preparation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s new environmental strategy and action plan for 2030 and beyond, ESAP 2030+, met in Sarajevo for the first time. On 3 March, the Steering Board for preparation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s new environmental strategy and action plan for 2030 and beyond, ESAP 2030+, met in Sarajevo for the first time.

]]> Tue, 03 Mar 2020 15:34:19 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/implementation-of-the-bih-esap-2030-project-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina-is-under-way/ Press Tools for transition – Achieving the vision of a just and climate neutral Europe https://www.sei.org/events/tools-for-transition-achieving-the-vision-of-a-just-and-climate-neutral-europe/ This event presents insights from researchers, industry representatives and policy makers on how EU member countries can successfully achieve a just transition towards climate neutrality. The event is co-hosted by the Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU and the Stockholm Environment Institute. This event presents insights from researchers, industry representatives and policy makers on how EU member countries can successfully achieve a just transition towards climate neutrality. The event is co-hosted by the Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU and the Stockholm Environment Institute.

]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2020 13:12:04 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/tools-for-transition-achieving-the-vision-of-a-just-and-climate-neutral-europe/ Event Reaching climate neutrality in Estonia https://www.sei.org/publications/reaching-climate-neutrality-in-estonia-brief/ Estonia, which has long relied on locally produced and highly polluting oil shale as its primary source of fuel for electricity, has committed to work towards climate neutrality by 2050. The Government Office of the Republic of Estonia commissioned SEI Tallinn to outline the steps the country must take over the next three decades. SEI Tallinn’s provides an analysis of sector-specific issues that Estonia must address, and offers an outline of the cost effectiveness of related measures. Estonia, which has long relied on locally produced and highly polluting oil shale as its primary source of fuel for electricity, has committed to work towards climate neutrality by 2050. The Government Office of the Republic of Estonia commissioned SEI Tallinn to outline the steps the country must take over the next three decades. SEI Tallinn’s provides an analysis of sector-specific issues that Estonia must address, and offers an outline of the cost effectiveness of related measures.

]]> Mon, 02 Mar 2020 10:57:01 +0000 Lauri Tammiste; Kerli Kirsimaa; Karina Suik; Madis Org; Siim Meeliste https://www.sei.org/publications/reaching-climate-neutrality-in-estonia-brief/ Publication Aligning integrated assessment modelling with socio-technical transition insights: An application to low-carbon energy scenario analysis in Europe https://www.sei.org/publications/integrated-assessment-modelling-socio-technical-transition-europe/ This article develops quantitative scenarios for integrated assessment modelling through the examination of two different transition narratives covering the role of actors in achieving the European Union’s 2050 80% greenhouse gas emission reduction target. This article develops quantitative scenarios for integrated assessment modelling through the examination of two different transition narratives covering the role of actors in achieving the European Union’s 2050 80% greenhouse gas emission reduction target.

]]> Mon, 02 Mar 2020 10:14:16 +0000 Måns Nilsson https://www.sei.org/publications/integrated-assessment-modelling-socio-technical-transition-europe/ Publication