SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 01:06:55 +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 Problem of plastic waste in the Baltic on the rise https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/problem-plastic-waste-baltic-rise/ Plastic waste is polluting the Baltic sea and is a problem there just as much as it is in the rest of the world, needing to be addressed by politicians and industry chiefs alike, according to speakers at the recent EU Baltic Sea strategy meeting in Tallinn. Plastic waste is polluting the Baltic sea and is a problem there just as much as it is in the rest of the world, needing to be addressed by politicians and industry chiefs alike, according to speakers at the recent EU Baltic Sea strategy meeting in Tallinn.

]]> Thu, 07 Jun 2018 13:03:47 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/problem-plastic-waste-baltic-rise/ Press The United States and the making of an Arctic nation https://www.sei.org/publications/united-states-making-arctic-nation/ The United States has sometimes been called a reluctant Arctic actor, but during its chairmanship of the Arctic Council (2015–2017) the US engaged as an active proponent of Arctic cooperation, using the region as a showcase for strong global climate policy. This paper places US Arctic policy development during the Obama presidency within a longer time perspective, with a focus on how US interests towards the region have been formulated in policies and policy statements. The United States has sometimes been called a reluctant Arctic actor, but during its chairmanship of the Arctic Council (2015–2017) the US engaged as an active proponent of Arctic cooperation, using the region as a showcase for strong global climate policy.

This paper places US Arctic policy development during the Obama presidency within a longer time perspective, with a focus on how US interests towards the region have been formulated in policies and policy statements.

]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2018 09:33:55 +0000 Annika E. Nilsson https://www.sei.org/publications/united-states-making-arctic-nation/ Publication Media, Communication, and the Environment in Precarious Times https://www.sei.org/publications/media-communication-environment-precarious-times/ Considering communication media and technological artifacts as both nature and culture and, more specifically, through defining media as both infrastructural environments and content, the authors discuss how challenges brought about by environmental change can inform contemporary media and communication research and environmental communication. The materiality of e-waste, which has resonance for cultural, political, economic, and geographic analyses, is used as an illuminating case in point. ... Considering communication media and technological artifacts as both nature and culture and, more specifically, through defining media as both infrastructural environments and content, the authors discuss how challenges brought about by environmental change can inform contemporary media and communication research and environmental communication.

The materiality of e-waste, which has resonance for cultural, political, economic, and geographic analyses, is used as an illuminating case in point. The authors link the implications ensuing from the e-waste issue with the roles mediation and communication of environmental narratives play, and how they can be informed by such “medianatures,” as well as geopolitical considerations

]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2018 09:11:25 +0000 Annika E. Nilsson https://www.sei.org/publications/media-communication-environment-precarious-times/ Publication Five downsides to Indonesia’s rapid coal expansion https://www.sei.org/features/downsides-indonesias-coal-expansion/ Deforestation and corruption are among the problems Indonesia faces as its coal mining sector expands. Deforestation and corruption are among the problems Indonesia faces as its coal mining sector expands.

]]> Mon, 04 Jun 2018 22:05:19 +0000 Emily Yehle https://www.sei.org/features/downsides-indonesias-coal-expansion/ Feature Contemporary coal dynamics in Indonesia https://www.sei.org/publications/contemporary-coal-dynamics-indonesia/ This paper explores the complex dynamics that could affect Indonesia’s future coal production, as a basis for a dialogue about how the country can balance its coal reserves with development priorities and global environmental challenges. This paper explores the complex dynamics that could affect Indonesia’s future coal production, as a basis for a dialogue about how the country can balance its coal reserves with development priorities and global environmental challenges.

]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2018 20:59:50 +0000 Aaron Atteridge; May Thazin Aung; Agus Nugroho https://www.sei.org/publications/contemporary-coal-dynamics-indonesia/ Publication Narratives, data and assumptions used to model development scenarios and climate sub-scenarios for Rwanda https://www.sei.org/publications/rwanda-nexus-scenarios-tech-note/ This report gives an overview of development and climate scenarios for Rwanda that SEI researchers co-created with stakeholders and explored using the LEAP and WEAP tools. This report gives an overview of development and climate scenarios for Rwanda that SEI researchers co-created with stakeholders and explored using the LEAP and WEAP tools.

]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2018 12:27:21 +0000 Oliver Johnson; Louise Karlberg; Mbeo Ogeya; Tom Ogol; Francisco Flores; Taylor Binnington https://www.sei.org/publications/rwanda-nexus-scenarios-tech-note/ Publication UrbanCircle: turning urban waste into circular economy benefits https://www.sei.org/publications/urbancircle-naivasha-brief/ Every day, African cities create thousands of tonnes of wastewater and other organic waste that could be turned into profit in the form of commercial fertiliser and soil conditioner, clean energy, and more, as well as contributing to a thriving, healthy, forward-looking economy. The UrbanCircle project will help cities explore how to unlock this hidden potential. Every day, African cities create thousands of tonnes of wastewater and other organic waste that could be turned into profit in the form of commercial fertiliser and soil conditioner, clean energy, and more, as well as contributing to a thriving, healthy, forward-looking economy. The UrbanCircle project will help cities explore how to unlock this hidden potential.

]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2018 09:18:23 +0000 Daniel Ddiba; Kim Andersson; Tom Ogol https://www.sei.org/publications/urbancircle-naivasha-brief/ Publication Q&A with Åsa Persson, new Research Director https://www.sei.org/features/qa-asa-persson-research-director/ Åsa Persson takes up the role of Research Director and Deputy Director on 1 June. In conversation with Robert Watt, she describes her aspirations and leadership goals. Åsa Persson takes up the role of Research Director and Deputy Director on 1 June. In conversation with Robert Watt, she describes her aspirations and leadership goals.

]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2018 08:58:28 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/qa-asa-persson-research-director/ Feature Ny vice vd och forskningschef för SEI https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/ny-vice-vd-och-forskningschef-sei/ SEI:s styrelse har utsett Åsa Persson till vice vd och forskningschef för Stockholm Environment Institute. Åsa Persson är en erfaren forskningsledare vid SEI med 15 års forskningserfarenhet. Hon tillträder sin tjänst i dag och efterträder Måns Nilsson, som övertog vd-tjänsten den 1 april 2018 efter Johan Kuylenstierna. SEI:s styrelse har utsett Åsa Persson till vice vd och forskningschef för Stockholm Environment Institute. Åsa Persson är en erfaren forskningsledare vid SEI med 15 års forskningserfarenhet. Hon tillträder sin tjänst i dag och efterträder Måns Nilsson, som övertog vd-tjänsten den 1 april 2018 efter Johan Kuylenstierna.

]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2018 06:00:56 +0000 Ylva Rylander https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/ny-vice-vd-och-forskningschef-sei/ Press CircPro – nutikad ringhanked https://www.sei.org/projects/circpro-nutikad-ringhanked/ Projekti CircPro eesmärgiks on läbi ringhangete (circular procurements) rakendamise suurendada üleminekut ringmajandusele. Projekti CircPro eesmärgiks on läbi ringhangete (circular procurements) rakendamise suurendada üleminekut ringmajandusele.

]]> Mon, 10 Dec 2018 15:47:40 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/circpro-nutikad-ringhanked/ Project CircPro – Smart Circular Procurement https://www.sei.org/projects/circpro-smart-circular-procurement/ The project Smart Circular Procurement (CircPro) promotes the transition to a more circular economy by increasing the implementation of circular procurements in Europe. The project Smart Circular Procurement (CircPro) promotes the transition to a more circular economy by increasing the implementation of circular procurements in Europe.

]]> Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:02:44 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/circpro-smart-circular-procurement/ Project WATERDRIVE https://www.sei.org/projects/waterdrive/ Suur toitainekoormus ja sellest tulenev eutrofeerumine mõjutavad negatiivselt Läänemerd, tema ökosüsteeme ning neist sõltuvaid kohalikke kogukondi. Läänemere-äärsete põllumajanduspiirkondade vastutustundlik veemajandus aitaks vähendada toitainekoormust 30-50%, parandaks vee kvaliteeti ja ökosüsteemide seisundit. Suur toitainekoormus ja sellest tulenev eutrofeerumine mõjutavad negatiivselt Läänemerd, tema ökosüsteeme ning neist sõltuvaid kohalikke kogukondi. Läänemere-äärsete põllumajanduspiirkondade vastutustundlik veemajandus aitaks vähendada toitainekoormust 30-50%, parandaks vee kvaliteeti ja ökosüsteemide seisundit.

]]> Wed, 19 Jun 2019 07:42:43 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/waterdrive/ Project Poverty, water and gender in Cambodia https://www.sei.org/projects/poverty-water-gender-in-cambodia/ This project will create a poverty framework for the Stung Chinit basin and incorporate it into a water resources model. This project will create a poverty framework for the Stung Chinit basin and incorporate it into a water resources model.

]]> Wed, 26 Jun 2019 15:32:24 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/poverty-water-gender-in-cambodia/ Project Measures for climate action and air quality improvement in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal https://www.sei.org/projects/unep-ndc-waste/ The Support for NDC Implementation in the Waste Management Sector in Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire project (UNEP NDC Waste project) aims to assist Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal implement their Nationally Determined Contributions in the waste sector, through the support of the development of policy measures and capacity building to facilitate emission reduction in the waste sector. The Support for NDC Implementation in the Waste Management Sector in Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire project (UNEP NDC Waste project) aims to assist Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal implement their Nationally Determined Contributions in the waste sector, through the support of the development of policy measures and capacity building to facilitate emission reduction in the waste sector.

]]> Tue, 09 Mar 2021 08:14:25 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/unep-ndc-waste/ Project Rethinking Southern Africa’s energy crisis https://www.sei.org/publications/rethinking-southern-africas-energy-crisis/ Electricity production in southern Africa continues to fall short of the level needed to support both household and commercial needs. It is widely agreed that regional cooperation and integration in energy planning and development could help to tackle this issue and unlock the potential for economic development in Southern Africa. But how? Electricity production in southern Africa continues to fall short of the level needed to support both household and commercial needs. It is widely agreed that regional cooperation and integration in energy planning and development could help to tackle this issue and unlock the potential for economic development in Southern Africa. But how?

]]> Thu, 31 May 2018 15:34:58 +0000 Marcus Carson; Oliver Johnson; Kevin L. Rosner https://www.sei.org/publications/rethinking-southern-africas-energy-crisis/ Publication Geothermal landscapes – powering Kenya’s future https://www.sei.org/perspectives/geothermal-landscapes-powering-kenyas-future/ This video essay explores the technological, political and social issues that surround Kenya’s growing use of geothermal power. The video is part of SEI’s work in an international research project that analyses the risks countries face as they seek to make a transition to lower-carbon energy sources. This video essay explores the technological, political and social issues that surround Kenya’s growing use of geothermal power. The video is part of SEI’s work in an international research project that analyses the risks countries face as they seek to make a transition to lower-carbon energy sources.

]]> Thu, 07 Jun 2018 08:00:24 +0000 Oliver Johnson https://www.sei.org/perspectives/geothermal-landscapes-powering-kenyas-future/ Perspective Environmental rights and gender equality mark Fund’s second phase https://www.sei.org/features/environmental-rights-gender-equality-mark-funds-second-phase/ Asia and the Pacific’s rapid growth has resulted in accelerating environmental degradation and climate change impacts that are spreading throughout the region’s communities. To address these challenges, SEI Asia has launched the second phase of the Strategic Collaborative Fund, an ambitious programme initiated by SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency) of the Government of Sweden in 2013. The Fund’s new phase applies rights-based and gender equal approaches to help the communities, go... Asia and the Pacific’s rapid growth has resulted in accelerating environmental degradation and climate change impacts that are spreading throughout the region’s communities.  To address these challenges, SEI Asia has launched the second phase of the Strategic Collaborative Fund, an ambitious programme initiated by SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency) of the Government of Sweden in 2013. The Fund’s new phase applies rights-based and gender equal approaches to help the communities, governments and development agencies that are confronting the region’s constantly shifting growth dynamics and the resultant impacts. This approach will enhance cooperation on these issues in relation to Agenda 2030, the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

]]> Thu, 31 May 2018 04:15:13 +0000 Jamie Kemsey https://www.sei.org/features/environmental-rights-gender-equality-mark-funds-second-phase/ Feature The SDGs report card for Asia-Pacific is out, and the region is failing https://www.sei.org/features/sdgs-report-card-asia-pacific-region-failing/ According to a UN progress report, the Asia Pacific region is failing to meet targets for almost two-thirds of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to a UN progress report, the Asia Pacific region is failing to meet targets for almost two-thirds of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

]]> Thu, 31 May 2018 09:18:02 +0000 Rajesh Daniel https://www.sei.org/features/sdgs-report-card-asia-pacific-region-failing/ Feature IPCC should have a role in developing methodologies for estimating SLCPs https://www.sei.org/features/ipcc-role-developing-methodologies-estimating-slcps/ The Climate and Clean Air Coalition nominated SEI’s Harry Vallack and others to attend the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Expert Meeting on Short-lived Climate Forcers held in Geneva, Switzerland, 28-31 May 2018. Here, Harry reports on the meeting and its outcomes, including an agreement that the IPCC should have a role in developing globally-applicable methodologies for estimating short-lived climate pollutant emissions. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition nominated SEI’s Harry Vallack and others to attend the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Expert Meeting on Short-lived Climate Forcers held in Geneva, Switzerland, 28-31 May 2018. Here, Harry reports on the meeting and its outcomes, including an agreement that the IPCC should have a role in developing globally-applicable methodologies for estimating short-lived climate pollutant emissions.

]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2018 16:35:13 +0000 Harry Vallack https://www.sei.org/features/ipcc-role-developing-methodologies-estimating-slcps/ Feature Regional exchange and learning with BONUS RETURN https://www.sei.org/events/regional-exchange-learning-bonus-return/ Welcome to a regional exchange and learning event by BONUS RETURN. The Baltic Sea is a hotbed for innovation with a strong tradition of transnational cooperation for a healthy Baltic Sea. At the same time, its rapid growth needs to be reconciled with the challenges of sustainable development. The nine countries sharing the Baltic Sea have enormous potential to develop a circular Blue Bio-Economy, if the challenges can be transformed into opportunities. To transform the region’s current enviro... Welcome to a regional exchange and learning event by BONUS RETURN.

The Baltic Sea is a hotbed for innovation with a strong tradition of transnational cooperation for a healthy Baltic Sea. At the same time, its rapid growth needs to be reconciled with the challenges of sustainable development.

The nine countries sharing the Baltic Sea have enormous potential to develop a circular Blue Bio-Economy, if the challenges can be transformed into opportunities. To transform the region’s current environmental challenges towards innovation-driven solutions, all policy, financial, social, and scientific parts of the puzzle need to come into place.

]]> Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:23:01 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/regional-exchange-learning-bonus-return/ Event