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 How to halt the global decline of lands https://www.sei.org/publications/halt-global-decline-lands/ The assessment of Land Degradation and Restoration by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) shows that land degradation across the globe is a wide and severe issue and is showing no signs of slowing down. This trend must be halted and reversed. The assessment of Land Degradation and Restoration by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) shows that land degradation across the globe is a wide and severe issue and is showing no signs of slowing down. This trend must be halted and reversed.

]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2020 16:41:47 +0000 Toby Gardner https://www.sei.org/publications/halt-global-decline-lands/ Publication Can the EU and China save the Paris Agreement in 2020? https://www.sei.org/events/can-the-eu-and-china-save-the-paris-agreement-in-2020/ The EU-China Summit in Leipzig in September 2020 will gather heads of state at a critical point leading up to the UNFCCC climate change conference in Glasgow. This will be an opportunity for the EU and China to demonstrate leadership and build the momentum required to bring the world on track with the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit climate crises. European Union (EU)-China summit on February 14, 2012 in Beijing, China. Image: How Hwee Young – Pool/Getty The EU-China Summit in Leipzig in September 2020 will gather heads of state at a critical point leading up to the UNFCCC climate change conference in Glasgow. This will be an opportunity for the EU and China to demonstrate leadership and build the momentum required to bring the world on track with the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit climate crises.

European Union (EU)-China summit on February 14, 2012 in Beijing, China. Image: How Hwee Young – Pool/Getty

]]> Fri, 24 Jan 2020 11:08:34 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/can-the-eu-and-china-save-the-paris-agreement-in-2020/ Event Modelling stakeholder agency to investigate sustainable charcoal markets in Kenya https://www.sei.org/publications/stakeholder-agency-charcoal-kenya/ This article presents an interdisciplinary study of risk and uncertainty of sustainable charcoal policies in Kitui, Kenya. This article presents an interdisciplinary study of risk and uncertainty of sustainable charcoal policies in Kitui, Kenya.

]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2020 17:12:47 +0000 Richard Taylor; Hannah Wanjiru; Oliver Johnson; Francis X. Johnson https://www.sei.org/publications/stakeholder-agency-charcoal-kenya/ Publication Human impacts on planetary boundaries amplified by Earth system interactions https://www.sei.org/publications/human-impacts-planetary-boundaries/ An integrated understanding of Earth system dynamics is critical to navigating towards a sustainable future. An integrated understanding of Earth system dynamics is critical to navigating towards a sustainable future.

]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2020 14:17:59 +0000 Holger Hoff https://www.sei.org/publications/human-impacts-planetary-boundaries/ Publication Four pointers for sustainable urban sanitation https://www.sei.org/perspectives/four-ideas-urban-sanitation/ Success for the world’s urbanization hotspots depends on matching sanitation services to city realities. Success for the world’s urbanization hotspots depends on matching sanitation services to city realities.

]]> Tue, 11 Feb 2020 11:08:32 +0000 Kim Andersson; Caspar Trimmer https://www.sei.org/perspectives/four-ideas-urban-sanitation/ Perspective Water management in Cochabamba: 20 years after the “Water War” https://www.sei.org/projects/water-management-in-cochabamba-20-years-after-the-water-war/ 20 years have passed since the water wars in Cochabamba. Decision-makers around water management in Bolivia have since been forced to rethink the planning of water to meet the demand of the population and guarantee access that is also affected by climate change. Through 20 workshops in 25 municipalities of Cochabamba, SEI Researchers worked on the formulation and updating of the Rocha River Basin Master Plan with a climate change adaptation approach. 20 years have passed since the water wars in Cochabamba. Decision-makers around water management in Bolivia have since been forced to rethink the planning of water to meet the demand of the population and guarantee access that is also affected by climate change.

Through 20 workshops in 25 municipalities of Cochabamba, SEI Researchers worked on the formulation and updating of the Rocha River Basin Master Plan with a climate change adaptation approach.

]]> Tue, 18 Feb 2020 22:15:20 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/water-management-in-cochabamba-20-years-after-the-water-war/ Project World Urban Forum Side Event: Partnerships towards an inclusive culture of health in cities https://www.sei.org/events/partnerships-towards-an-inclusive-culture-of-health-in-cities/ Together with researchers, local community and local government representatives, this session will explore experiences of deepening our approaches to ensuring healthy and inclusive urban development by engaging with most marginalised and at-risk urban populations and sharing different tools and methods to facilitate this. Together with researchers, local community and local government representatives, this session will explore experiences of deepening our approaches to ensuring healthy and inclusive urban development by engaging with most marginalised and at-risk urban populations and sharing different tools and methods to facilitate this.

]]> Tue, 28 Jan 2020 13:24:01 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/partnerships-towards-an-inclusive-culture-of-health-in-cities/ Event Cómo los subsidios a los combustibles fósiles bloquean los objetivos del Acuerdo de París https://www.sei.org/features/como-los-subsidios-a-los-combustibles-fosiles-bloquean-los-objetivos-del-acuerdo-de-paris/ Un nuevo artículo de Nature expone los efectos económicos, políticos y simbólicos de los subsidios, y por qué su eliminación es importante para una transición baja en carbono. Un nuevo artículo de Nature expone los efectos económicos, políticos y simbólicos de los subsidios, y por qué su eliminación es importante para una transición baja en carbono.

]]> Mon, 10 Feb 2020 18:38:32 +0000 Emily Yehle https://www.sei.org/features/como-los-subsidios-a-los-combustibles-fosiles-bloquean-los-objetivos-del-acuerdo-de-paris/ Feature Thailand’s biofuel policies among prime reasons for present toxic haze https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/thailands-biofuel-policies-among-prime-reasons-for-present-toxic-haze/ Beneath the haze is the culmination of issues related to social equality, sustainability and corporate responsibility as well as the fragmented policy approaches that need effective and collaborative policy interventions. Photo: kampee patisena / GettyImages. Beneath the haze is the culmination of issues related to social equality, sustainability and corporate responsibility as well as the fragmented policy approaches that need effective and collaborative policy interventions.

Photo: kampee patisena / GettyImages.

]]> Wed, 19 Feb 2020 10:57:14 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/thailands-biofuel-policies-among-prime-reasons-for-present-toxic-haze/ Press Soybean supply chain management and sustainability: A systematic literature review https://www.sei.org/publications/soybean-supply-chain-management-and-sustainability-a-systematic-literature-review/ In this study, a systematic review of the existing literature is conducted in order to identify key themes or topics, and from which, a conceptual framework to guide future research is developed. In this study, a systematic review of the existing literature is conducted in order to identify key themes or topics, and from which, a conceptual framework to guide future research is developed.

]]> Fri, 07 Feb 2020 13:58:01 +0000 Jonathan Green https://www.sei.org/publications/soybean-supply-chain-management-and-sustainability-a-systematic-literature-review/ Publication Extraction and development: fossil fuel production narratives and counternarratives in Colombia https://www.sei.org/publications/extraction-and-development-fossil-fuel-production-narratives-and-counternarratives-in-colombia/ This article in Climate Policy explores an obstacle to supply-side policy: the national government’s narrative that fossil fuel extraction is necessary for development. This article in Climate Policy explores an obstacle to supply-side policy: the national government’s narrative that fossil fuel extraction is necessary for development.

]]> Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:08:12 +0000 Claudia Strambo https://www.sei.org/publications/extraction-and-development-fossil-fuel-production-narratives-and-counternarratives-in-colombia/ Publication Modeling deep decarbonization: Robust energy policy and climate action https://www.sei.org/publications/modeling-deep-decarbonization-robust-energy-policy-and-climate-action/ The paper introduces a special issue of Applied Energy that compiles, interrelates, and highlights studies that can shed light on key issues in future energy and economic decarbonization. The paper introduces a special issue of Applied Energy that compiles, interrelates, and highlights studies that can shed light on key issues in future energy and economic decarbonization.

]]> Thu, 06 Feb 2020 19:13:58 +0000 Jason Veysey https://www.sei.org/publications/modeling-deep-decarbonization-robust-energy-policy-and-climate-action/ Publication Why fossil fuel producer subsidies matter https://www.sei.org/publications/why-fossil-fuel-producer-subsidies-matter/ This article in Nature explains how subsidies affect fossil fuel investment and why they deserve greater attention in global modelling analyses. This article in Nature explains how subsidies affect fossil fuel investment and why they deserve greater attention in global modelling analyses.

]]> Wed, 05 Feb 2020 18:01:35 +0000 Peter Erickson; Harro van Asselt; Michael Lazarus https://www.sei.org/publications/why-fossil-fuel-producer-subsidies-matter/ Publication How fossil fuel subsidies impede Paris Agreement goals https://www.sei.org/features/fossil-fuel-subsidies-impede-paris-agreement/ A new Nature article lays out the economic, political and symbolic effects of subsidies – and why their removal is important to a low-carbon transition. A new Nature article lays out the economic, political and symbolic effects of subsidies – and why their removal is important to a low-carbon transition.

]]> Wed, 05 Feb 2020 18:01:06 +0000 Emily Yehle https://www.sei.org/features/fossil-fuel-subsidies-impede-paris-agreement/ Feature Co-designing climate services to support adaptation to natural hazards: two case studies from Sweden https://www.sei.org/publications/co-designing-climate-services-to-support-adaptation-to-natural-hazards/ This SEI discussion brief shows how co-designed climate services can better support adaptation processes by focussing on users’ needs, and gaining greater understanding of the challenges they face in making real-world policy decisions. Download the brief here, or read it in full below. This SEI discussion brief shows how co-designed climate services can better support adaptation processes by focussing on users’ needs, and gaining greater understanding of the challenges they face in making real-world policy decisions.

Download the brief here, or read it in full below.

]]> Tue, 04 Feb 2020 07:30:21 +0000 Karin André; Linn Järnberg; Åsa Gerger Swartling https://www.sei.org/publications/co-designing-climate-services-to-support-adaptation-to-natural-hazards/ Publication Bioeconomy: tapping natural and human resources to achieve sustainability https://www.sei.org/publications/bioeconomy-natural-human-resources-sustainability/ An increased understanding of the “bioeconomy” and its application has led to better forms of monitoring its sustainability outcomes. This paper presents an overview of sustainability assessment frameworks and indicators, such as certification and standards. It also reflects on the questions that need to be asked with regard to gender equity and poverty reduction. An increased understanding of the “bioeconomy” and its application has led to better forms of monitoring its sustainability outcomes. This paper presents an overview of sustainability assessment frameworks and indicators, such as certification and standards. It also reflects on the questions that need to be asked with regard to gender equity and poverty reduction.

]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2020 14:46:59 +0000 Rocio A. Diaz-Chavez; Sofie Mortensen; Anna Wikman https://www.sei.org/publications/bioeconomy-natural-human-resources-sustainability/ Publication Mitigating the impacts of air pollutants in Nepal and climate co-benefits: a scenario-based approach https://www.sei.org/publications/reducing-impacts-of-air-pollutants-in-nepal/ This study, derives a national-level emission inventory for Nepal including short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), CO2, and other air pollutants, and projects their impacts under different scenarios. This study, derives a national-level emission inventory for Nepal including short-lived climate pollutants  (SLCPs), CO2, and other air pollutants, and projects their impacts under different scenarios.

]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2020 13:47:37 +0000 Chris Malley; Johan C. I. Kuylenstierna https://www.sei.org/publications/reducing-impacts-of-air-pollutants-in-nepal/ Publication Omtvistade Landskap – Navigering mellan konkurrerande markanvändning och kumulativa effekter https://www.sei.org/publications/omtvistade-landskap-markanvandning/ Trycket från konkurrerande markanvändning på renskötselns betesmarker i norra Sverige har ökat kraftigt de senaste åren. I denna rapport presenteras ny kunskap från forskningsprojektet CO-LAND som bidrar till att förstå hur staten, exploatörer och samebyar kan förbättra hanteringen av kumulativa effekter på renskötseln och samisk markanvändning. Trycket från konkurrerande markanvändning på renskötselns betesmarker i norra Sverige har ökat kraftigt de senaste åren. I denna rapport presenteras ny kunskap från forskningsprojektet CO-LAND som bidrar till att förstå hur staten, exploatörer och samebyar kan förbättra hanteringen av kumulativa effekter på renskötseln och samisk markanvändning.

]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2020 12:58:26 +0000 Rasmus Kløcker Larsen https://www.sei.org/publications/omtvistade-landskap-markanvandning/ Publication Agricultural research: bring your knowledge to policy and practice https://www.sei.org/publications/agricultural-research-bring-your-knowledge-to-policy-and-practice/ Science and scientists have an important role to play for the future of food security but in order to have more impact they will need to go beyond research and improve in the ways they collaborate with policymakers and practitioner. Read the brief below or download as a PDF. Science and scientists have an important role to play for the future of food security but in order to have more impact they will need to go beyond research and improve in the ways they collaborate with policymakers and practitioner. 

Read the brief below or download as a PDF.

]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2020 10:02:37 +0000 Ylva Ran; Anneli Sundin; Ivar Virgin https://www.sei.org/publications/agricultural-research-bring-your-knowledge-to-policy-and-practice/ Publication Iniciativa de SEI: Agua sin Límites https://www.sei.org/projects/iniciativa-de-sei-agua-sin-limites/ El acceso al agua es el mayor riesgo para la prosperidad mundial y para abordar los ODS. Los formuladores de políticas enfrentan múltiples desafíos con respecto a la gestión del agua. La iniciativa Agua sin Límites de SEI busca transformar el proceso actual de toma de decisiones alrededor de la gestión del agua para responder a estos retos. El acceso al agua es el mayor riesgo para la prosperidad mundial y para abordar los ODS. Los formuladores de políticas enfrentan múltiples desafíos con respecto a la gestión del agua. La iniciativa Agua sin Límites de SEI busca transformar el proceso actual de toma de decisiones alrededor de la gestión del agua para responder a estos retos.

]]> Tue, 25 Feb 2020 10:06:50 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/iniciativa-de-sei-agua-sin-limites/ Project