SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 19:43:06 +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 Global value chains and the governance of ‘embedded’ food commodities: The case of soy https://www.sei.org/publications/global-value-chains-case-of-soy/ This article extends the scope of debate on governance of global value chains beyond the generation, control and distribution of economic value to also consider the transnational politics of the sustainability agenda, using soy as a case study. This article extends the scope of debate on governance of global value chains beyond the generation, control and distribution of economic value to also consider the transnational politics of the sustainability agenda, using soy as a case study.

]]> Tue, 28 Jan 2020 13:41:23 +0000 Tony Heron; Chris West https://www.sei.org/publications/global-value-chains-case-of-soy/ Publication Innovative technologies for African farmers: Improving smallholder productivity https://www.sei.org/events/innovative-technologies-for-african-farmers-improving-smallholder-productivity/ This seminar will discuss innovations for African smallholders and how to create favourable market conditions and institutional and policy environment that would empower farmers and foster change. At the seminar, you will hear from the world-renowned scientist Dr. Segenet Kelemu who is heading the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), pioneering transformation and innovations in African agriculture. Photo: Mitchell Maher (IFPRI) / Flickr. This seminar will discuss innovations for African smallholders and how to create favourable market conditions and institutional and policy environment that would empower farmers and foster change.

At the seminar, you will hear from the world-renowned scientist Dr. Segenet Kelemu who is heading the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), pioneering transformation and innovations in African agriculture.

Photo: Mitchell Maher (IFPRI) / Flickr.

]]> Fri, 17 Jan 2020 09:36:48 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/innovative-technologies-for-african-farmers-improving-smallholder-productivity/ Event Dealing a new deck of cards: game play to address climate change adaptation https://www.sei.org/publications/game-play-to-address-climate-change-adaptation/ SEI researchers working with southern African cities that are grappling with climate change adaptation planning devised a game to address gaps in understanding about related concepts and terminologies. The companion briefs presented here consist of an “explainer” that outlines the underlying premise, and a “how-to” guide that provides basic instructions to use and adapt the game. They are the first in a planned series of companion guides on serious games for climate adaptation decision making. SEI researchers working with southern African cities that are grappling with climate change adaptation planning devised a game to address gaps in understanding about related concepts and terminologies. The companion briefs presented here consist of an “explainer” that outlines the underlying premise, and a “how-to” guide that provides basic instructions to use and adapt the game. They are the first in a planned series of companion guides on serious games for climate adaptation decision making.

]]> Tue, 28 Jan 2020 07:35:55 +0000 Sukaina Bharwani; Liz Daniels https://www.sei.org/publications/game-play-to-address-climate-change-adaptation/ Publication Comparing the impact of future cropland expansion on global biodiversity and carbon storage across models and scenarios https://www.sei.org/publications/future-cropland-expansion-biodiversity-and-carbon-storage-modelling/ Land-use change is a direct driver of biodiversity and carbon storage loss. Projections of future land-use often include notable expansion of cropland areas in response to changes in climate and food demand, although there are large uncertainties in results between models and scenarios. Land-use change is a direct driver of biodiversity and carbon storage loss. Projections of future land-use often include notable expansion of cropland areas in response to changes in climate and food demand, although there are large uncertainties in results between models and scenarios.

]]> Mon, 27 Jan 2020 10:11:44 +0000 Amy Molotoks https://www.sei.org/publications/future-cropland-expansion-biodiversity-and-carbon-storage-modelling/ Publication Creating the new economy: business models that put people and planet first https://www.sei.org/publications/creating-the-new-economy-business-models-that-put-people-and-planet-first/ Based on a recent study of Fair Trade Enterprises, this report unveils pivotal governance, management and profit reinvestment models that are already working across the world. It challenges leaders gathering at Davos, in January 2020, to foster business models that put people and planet first. Based on a recent study of Fair Trade Enterprises, this report unveils pivotal governance, management and profit reinvestment models that are already working across the world. It challenges leaders gathering at Davos, in January 2020, to foster business models that put people and planet first.

]]> Thu, 23 Jan 2020 14:22:13 +0000 Simon Croft https://www.sei.org/publications/creating-the-new-economy-business-models-that-put-people-and-planet-first/ Publication One size doesn’t fit all: How to design a user-friendly climate insurance https://www.sei.org/perspectives/one-size-doesnt-fit-all-how-to-design-a-user-friendly-climate-insurance/ Everyone has distinct social networks, experiences, levels of income, education and skills – all of which translate to a different degree of vulnerability and typical risk response behaviors. SEI toolkit for behavior-based development interventions was designed to capture people’s needs, motivations and behaviors and convert this complexity into concrete solutions. Find out how it works on this example from Uganda. This article was originally published on the International Fund for Agricultur... Everyone has distinct social networks, experiences, levels of income, education and skills – all of which translate to a different degree of vulnerability and typical risk response behaviors.

SEI toolkit for behavior-based development interventions was designed to capture people’s needs, motivations and behaviors and convert this complexity into concrete solutions. Find out how it works on this example from Uganda.

This article was originally published on the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) website. 

]]> Thu, 23 Jan 2020 07:51:46 +0000 Ekaterina Bessonova https://www.sei.org/perspectives/one-size-doesnt-fit-all-how-to-design-a-user-friendly-climate-insurance/ Perspective UN food and agriculture agencies set to learn from SEI on climate adaptation and risk management https://www.sei.org/features/un-food-and-agriculture-agencies-set-to-learn-from-sei-on-climate-adaptation-and-risk-management/ Climate change will likely make food less available and more difficult to access. UN organizations striving to defeat hunger, increase food security and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, therefore want to gather insights from SEI’s research on climate adaptation. Climate change will likely make food less available and more difficult to access. UN organizations striving to defeat hunger, increase food security and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, therefore want to gather insights from SEI’s research on climate adaptation.

]]> Thu, 23 Jan 2020 14:52:57 +0000 Andrea Lindblom https://www.sei.org/features/un-food-and-agriculture-agencies-set-to-learn-from-sei-on-climate-adaptation-and-risk-management/ Feature How climate helped push the Doomsday Clock closer to midnight https://www.sei.org/perspectives/climate-doomsday-clock-100-seconds-to-midnight/ On Wednesday, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced that the Doomsday Clock is 100 seconds to midnight — closer than ever before. The world faces two existential threats: nuclear war and climate change. SEI Senior Scientist Sivan Kartha is a member of the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board, which sets the Clock. Below are his remarks, as prepared for Wednesday’s announcement. On Wednesday, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced that the Doomsday Clock is 100 seconds to midnight — closer than ever before. The world faces two existential threats: nuclear war and climate change.

SEI Senior Scientist Sivan Kartha is a member of the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board, which sets the Clock. Below are his remarks, as prepared for Wednesday’s announcement.

]]> Thu, 23 Jan 2020 19:40:11 +0000 Sivan Kartha https://www.sei.org/perspectives/climate-doomsday-clock-100-seconds-to-midnight/ Perspective Colombian coffee futures: Trase data highlight opportunities for more sustainable production https://www.sei.org/features/colombian-coffee-futures/ This article, originally published on the Trase Initiative’s Medium site, introduces the new Trase data on environmental and social risks related to Colombian coffee supply chains – including upland areas vulnerable to deforestation by 2050 due to climate change and rising global demand. Max Geller / Getty This article, originally published on the Trase Initiative’s Medium site, introduces the new Trase data on environmental and social risks related to Colombian coffee supply chains – including upland areas vulnerable to deforestation by 2050 due to climate change and rising global demand.

Max Geller / Getty

]]> Wed, 22 Jan 2020 17:01:06 +0000 Caspar Trimmer; Allie Goldstein https://www.sei.org/features/colombian-coffee-futures/ Feature Futuros del café colombiano: Trase destaca oportunidades para una producción más sostenible https://www.sei.org/features/futuros-del-cafe-colombiano-trase-destaca-oportunidades-para-una-produccion-mas-sostenible/ Este artículo, publicado originalmente en el sitio de Trase Initiative’s Medium, presenta los nuevos datos de Trase sobre los riesgos ambientales y sociales relacionados con las cadenas de suministro de café colombiano, incluidas las zonas de tierras altas vulnerables a la deforestación para 2050 debido al cambio climático y la creciente demanda mundial. Max Geller / Getty Este artículo, publicado originalmente en el sitio de Trase Initiative’s Medium, presenta los nuevos datos de Trase sobre los riesgos ambientales y sociales relacionados con las cadenas de suministro de café colombiano, incluidas las zonas de tierras altas vulnerables a la deforestación para 2050 debido al cambio climático y la creciente demanda mundial.

Max Geller / Getty

]]> Fri, 08 May 2020 21:56:35 +0000 Caspar Trimmer; Allie Goldstein https://www.sei.org/features/futuros-del-cafe-colombiano-trase-destaca-oportunidades-para-una-produccion-mas-sostenible/ Feature 4 ways to harness data to stop deforestation in supply chains https://www.sei.org/perspectives/4-ways-data-deforestation/ There’s an urgent need to make commodity trade more sustainable, and data can help. We can look for new and creative ways to harness existing data to stop deforestation. Don’t assume you need the most detailed data to drive change. This article was originally published on the World Economic Forum 2020 website.
  • There’s an urgent need to make commodity trade more sustainable, and data can help.
  • We can look for new and creative ways to harness existing data to stop deforestation.
  • Don’t assume you need the most detailed data to drive change.

    • This article was originally published on the World Economic Forum 2020 website.

    ]]>     Tue, 21 Jan 2020 14:22:00 +0000 Toby Gardner https://www.sei.org/perspectives/4-ways-data-deforestation/ Perspective     Effectiveness of ecotechnologies in agriculture for the recovery and reuse of carbon and nutrients in the Baltic and boreo-temperate regions: a systematic map https://www.sei.org/publications/ecotechnologies-agriculture-recovery-reuse-carbon-nutrients-baltic/ Agriculture is the main sector responsible for nutrient emissions in the Baltic Sea Region and there is a growing pressure to identify cost-effective solutions for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus loads originating from farming activities. This paper reviews evidence on the effectiveness of existing solutions. Agriculture is the main sector responsible for nutrient emissions in the Baltic Sea Region and there is a growing pressure to identify cost-effective solutions for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus loads originating from farming activities. This paper reviews evidence on the effectiveness of existing solutions.

    ]]>     Mon, 20 Jan 2020 15:02:12 +0000 Biljana Macura; Neal Haddaway; Filippa Ek https://www.sei.org/publications/ecotechnologies-agriculture-recovery-reuse-carbon-nutrients-baltic/ Publication     Identifying barriers and opportunities for a circular phosphorus economy in the Baltic Sea region https://www.sei.org/publications/barriers-opportunities-p-reuse-baltic/ This open-access study argues that there is considerable potential to develop a circular economy in phosphorus, but policy support and new research will be needed, while pitfalls such as technological lock-in must be avoided. This open-access study argues that there is considerable potential to develop a circular economy in phosphorus, but policy support and new research will be needed, while pitfalls such as technological lock-in must be avoided.

    ]]>     Fri, 17 Jan 2020 15:57:31 +0000 Karina Barquet; Linn Järnberg; Arno Rosemarin; Biljana Macura https://www.sei.org/publications/barriers-opportunities-p-reuse-baltic/ Publication     Perceptions of climate related investment risk in Southeast Asia’s power sector https://www.sei.org/publications/perceptions-climate-investment-risk-southeast-asia-power-sector/ Given the growing international pressure to mitigate climate change and increasing fears around climate impacts, expectations of continued investment in fossil fuels in Southeast Asia’s power sector appear puzzling. This paper explores how power sector investors perceive climate-related risks and how they factor these risks into investment decision-making. Given the growing international pressure to mitigate climate change and increasing fears around climate impacts, expectations of continued investment in fossil fuels in Southeast Asia’s power sector appear puzzling. This paper explores how power sector investors perceive climate-related risks and how they factor these risks into investment decision-making.

    ]]>     Fri, 17 Jan 2020 14:44:30 +0000 Peter du Pont; Cannelle Gueguen-Teil; Oliver Johnson https://www.sei.org/publications/perceptions-climate-investment-risk-southeast-asia-power-sector/ Publication     Improving the co-production of climate services for agriculture: a case study from Nigeria https://www.sei.org/publications/improving-the-co-production-of-climate-services-for-agriculture-a-case-study-from-nigeria/ This brief draws on a two-year project that aimed to strengthen the capacities of farmers and government officials to understand and share appropriate climate information and best practices to inform agricultural decision-making in Nigeria. After the project, researchers used the case study to test and refine the SEI Tandem framework, which was designed to help improve co-production processes between climate information providers and users seeking to make collaborative adaptation decisions in... This brief draws on a two-year project that aimed to strengthen the capacities of farmers and government officials to understand and share appropriate climate information and best practices to inform agricultural decision-making in Nigeria.

    After the project, researchers used the case study to test and refine the SEI Tandem framework, which was designed to help improve co-production processes between climate information providers and users seeking to make collaborative adaptation decisions in a variety of circumstances.

    The brief is part of a series of projects from various parts of the world that are intended to test the principles of the framework, and to increase the use of climate science to inform policies and decisions related to climate change adaptation.

    Read the brief in full below, or download as a PDF.

     

    ]]>     Fri, 17 Jan 2020 09:00:43 +0000 Ruth Butterfield; Philip Osano https://www.sei.org/publications/improving-the-co-production-of-climate-services-for-agriculture-a-case-study-from-nigeria/ Publication     The water-energy nexus: comparing how Los Angeles and Beijing integrate policies across sectors https://www.sei.org/publications/water-energy-nexus-comparing-los-angeles-and-beijing/ Are water and energy policies in sync? This brief examines policy coherence in two of the largest cities in the US and China. Are water and energy policies in sync? This brief examines policy coherence in two of the largest cities in the US and China.

    ]]>     Thu, 16 Jan 2020 19:59:27 +0000 Annette Huber-Lee https://www.sei.org/publications/water-energy-nexus-comparing-los-angeles-and-beijing/ Publication     Modelación de la vulnerabilidad al estrés hídrico en pequeñas cuencas andinas: estudio de caso de la cuenca del río Campoalegre, Colombia https://www.sei.org/publications/modelacion-de-la-vulnerabilidad-al-estres-hidrico-en-pequenas-cuencas-andinas-estudio-de-caso-de-la-cuenca-del-rio-campoalegre-colombia/ La cuenca del río Campoalegre y sus subcuencas presentan conflictos por el uso del agua. Este estudio busca analizar estos conflictos utilizando un enfoque cuantitativo desglosado, para comprender mejor el estrés hídrico existente y potencial. Este estudio es relevante para otras cuencas donde la presión sobre los recursos hídricos puede intensificarse debido a la mayor demanda de agua. La cuenca del río Campoalegre y sus subcuencas presentan conflictos por el uso del agua. Este estudio busca analizar estos conflictos utilizando un enfoque cuantitativo desglosado, para comprender mejor el estrés hídrico existente y potencial.

    Este estudio es relevante para otras cuencas donde la presión sobre los recursos hídricos puede intensificarse debido a la mayor demanda de agua.

    ]]>     Wed, 15 Jan 2020 17:06:00 +0000 Angélica Moncada; Marisa Escobar https://www.sei.org/publications/modelacion-de-la-vulnerabilidad-al-estres-hidrico-en-pequenas-cuencas-andinas-estudio-de-caso-de-la-cuenca-del-rio-campoalegre-colombia/ Publication     Modelling water stress vulnerability in small Andean basins: case study of Campoalegre River basin, Colombia https://www.sei.org/publications/modelling-water-stress-vulnerability-in-small-andean-basins-case-study-of-campoalegre-river-basin-colombia/ The Campoalegre River basin and its sub-basins present water-use conflicts. This study seeks to analyze these conflicts using a disaggregated quantitative approach, to better understand existing and potential water stress. This study is relevant for other watersheds where pressure on water resources may intensify due to increased water demands. The Campoalegre River basin and its sub-basins present water-use conflicts. This study seeks to analyze these conflicts using a disaggregated quantitative approach, to better understand existing and potential water stress.

    This study is relevant for other watersheds where pressure on water resources may intensify due to increased water demands.

    ]]>     Wed, 15 Jan 2020 16:12:40 +0000 Angélica Moncada; Marisa Escobar https://www.sei.org/publications/modelling-water-stress-vulnerability-in-small-andean-basins-case-study-of-campoalegre-river-basin-colombia/ Publication     Interdependencias ecológicas y competencia por los recursos: El papel de la información y la comunicación https://www.sei.org/publications/interdependencias-ecologicas-y-competencia-por-los-recursos-el-papel-de-la-informacion-y-la-comunicacion/ La comunicación entre usuarios de recursos ha demostrado repetidamente ser de gran importancia en la gestión ambiental. Pero, ¿qué la promueve y en qué condiciones son importantes los posibles mecanismos causales? Este artículo expone los resultados de los ejercicios de laboratorio destinados a responder estas preguntas. La comunicación entre usuarios de recursos ha demostrado repetidamente ser de gran importancia en la gestión ambiental. Pero, ¿qué la promueve y en qué condiciones son importantes los posibles mecanismos causales? Este artículo expone los resultados de los ejercicios de laboratorio destinados a responder estas preguntas.

    ]]>     Tue, 14 Jan 2020 20:51:19 +0000 Matthew Osborne https://www.sei.org/publications/interdependencias-ecologicas-y-competencia-por-los-recursos-el-papel-de-la-informacion-y-la-comunicacion/ Publication     Learning Labs: creating collaborative ways to address climate change in African cities https://www.sei.org/features/learning-labs-creating-collaborative-ways-to-address-climate-change-in-african-cities/ Learning Labs bring diverse stakeholders together to spur new thinking about how to tackle the climate change adaptation issues emerging in urban Africa. Learning Labs bring diverse stakeholders together to spur new thinking about how to tackle the climate change adaptation issues emerging in urban Africa.

     

    ]]>     Tue, 14 Jan 2020 07:06:08 +0000 Karen Brandon https://www.sei.org/features/learning-labs-creating-collaborative-ways-to-address-climate-change-in-african-cities/ Feature