SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 21:07:12 +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 Today’s oil drilling fuels tomorrow’s political and economic problems https://www.sei.org/perspectives/oil-drilling-fuels-political-economic-problems/ As Obama opens the Arctic for oil drilling, is he also making it harder for America to wean itself from its dependence on fossil fuels? As Obama opens the Arctic for oil drilling, is he also making it harder for America to wean itself from its dependence on fossil fuels?

]]> Mon, 28 Sep 2015 05:46:57 +0000 Michael Lazarus; Peter Erickson https://www.sei.org/perspectives/oil-drilling-fuels-political-economic-problems/ Perspective Setting up Agricultural Water Management interventions – learning from successful case studies in the Volta and Limpopo river basins https://www.sei.org/publications/setting-up-agricultural-water-management-interventions-learning-from-successful-case-studies-in-the-volta-and-limpopo-river-basins/ This paper explores agricultural water management (AWM) interventions in two African river basins, their impacts, and the factors contributing to their success. This paper explores agricultural water management (AWM) interventions in two African river basins, their impacts, and the factors contributing to their success.

]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2015 22:00:00 +0000 Jennie Barron; Annemarieke de Bruin; Rachel Pateman https://www.sei.org/publications/setting-up-agricultural-water-management-interventions-learning-from-successful-case-studies-in-the-volta-and-limpopo-river-basins/ Publication 5 ways to help fund the Sustainable Development Goals https://www.sei.org/perspectives/helping-to-fund-sdgs/ Relying too heavily on international private finance to fund climate action and other sustainable development in developing countries is a mistake. Instead, Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States need help to mobilize domestic finance. This is part of a series on the Global Goals for Sustainable Development appearing on the World Economic Forum’s Agenda blog. It focuses on Goal 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Relying too heavily on international private finance to fund climate action and other sustainable development in developing countries is a mistake. Instead, Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States need help to mobilize domestic finance.

This is part of a series on the Global Goals for Sustainable Development appearing on the World Economic Forum’s Agenda blog. It focuses on Goal 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

]]> Thu, 24 Sep 2015 06:46:20 +0000 Adis Dzebo https://www.sei.org/perspectives/helping-to-fund-sdgs/ Perspective 3 key steps to a more sustainable economy https://www.sei.org/perspectives/3-steps-sustainable-economy/ Goal 9 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls for “inclusive and sustainable industrialization” – what would this look like and how far can we go in the next 15 years? This is part of a series on the Global Goals for Sustainable Development appearing on the World Economic Forum’s Agenda blog. Goal 9 of the Sustainable Development Goals calls for “inclusive and sustainable industrialization” – what would this look like and how far can we go in the next 15 years?

This is part of a series on the Global Goals for Sustainable Development appearing on the World Economic Forum’s Agenda blog.

]]> Thu, 24 Sep 2015 13:47:29 +0000 Eric Kemp-Benedict https://www.sei.org/perspectives/3-steps-sustainable-economy/ Perspective Carbon lock-in from fossil fuel supply infrastructure https://www.sei.org/publications/carbon-lock-in-from-fossil-fuel-supply-infrastructure/ Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:37:30 +0000 Michael Lazarus; Peter Erickson; Kevin Tempest https://www.sei.org/publications/carbon-lock-in-from-fossil-fuel-supply-infrastructure/ Publication Biofuels, oil palm and agribusiness in Southeast Asia – planning for sustainability? https://www.sei.org/publications/biofuels-oil-palm-and-agribusiness-in-southeast-asia-planning-for-sustainability/ This brief draws together SEI research done between 2011 and 2014 on agribusiness developments – especially of oil palm – in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. This brief draws together SEI research done between 2011 and 2014 on agribusiness developments – especially of oil palm – in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2015 10:51:58 +0000 Eric Kemp-Benedict; Rasmus Kløcker Larsen; Maria Osbeck; Aaron Atteridge; Ha Nguyen https://www.sei.org/publications/biofuels-oil-palm-and-agribusiness-in-southeast-asia-planning-for-sustainability/ Publication Taking action: why national ownership of the Sustainable Development Goals is vital to success https://www.sei.org/perspectives/taking-national-ownership-sdgs/ Unless the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be turned into nationally relevant targets that mesh with existing priorities and processes, they risk becoming just another remote UN agenda. Unless the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be turned into nationally relevant targets that mesh with existing priorities and processes, they risk becoming just another remote UN agenda.

]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2015 13:34:42 +0000 Måns Nilsson; Åsa Persson https://www.sei.org/perspectives/taking-national-ownership-sdgs/ Perspective Q&A: Kaja Peterson on Joining the UN Sustainable Development Summit https://www.sei.org/features/qa-kaja-peterson-joining-un-sustainable-development-summit/ SEI Tallinn’s Programme Director on Sustainable Development, Kaja Peterson, will be travelling to New York as part of the Estonian delegation at the UN Summit on Sustainable Development starting on Friday 25 September. SEI Tallinn’s Programme Director on Sustainable Development, Kaja Peterson, will be travelling to New York as part of the Estonian delegation at the UN Summit on Sustainable Development starting on Friday 25 September.

]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:36:15 +0000 Helen Saarniit https://www.sei.org/features/qa-kaja-peterson-joining-un-sustainable-development-summit/ Feature ‘Manifesto’ highlights role and core values of climate knowledge brokers https://www.sei.org/features/manifesto-highlights-role-core-values-climate-knowledge-brokers/ SEI’s Oxford Centre, developer of weADAPT, endorses vision to raise awareness, provide high-quality and tailored information, and thus help people make better decisions. SEI’s Oxford Centre, developer of weADAPT, endorses vision to raise awareness, provide high-quality and tailored information, and thus help people make better decisions.

]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2015 13:13:24 +0000 Anneli Sundin https://www.sei.org/features/manifesto-highlights-role-core-values-climate-knowledge-brokers/ Feature Q&A: Avoiding carbon lock-in from energy-using infrastructure https://www.sei.org/features/qa-avoiding-carbon-lock-energy-using-infrastructure/ The more we invest in long-lived high-carbon assets, stronger fossil fuel institutions will be, and the greater the resistance to a low-carbon transition. The more we invest in long-lived high-carbon assets, stronger fossil fuel institutions will be, and the greater the resistance to a low-carbon transition.

]]> Fri, 18 Sep 2015 16:01:33 +0000 Marion Davis https://www.sei.org/features/qa-avoiding-carbon-lock-energy-using-infrastructure/ Feature Sustainable Development Goals for Sweden: Insights on Setting a National Agenda https://www.sei.org/publications/sustainable-development-goals-for-sweden-insights-on-setting-a-national-agenda/ The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are intended as the reference point for international development until 2030. Most of the targets are, implicitly or explicitly, global; to be reached by concerted international action. But in contrast to the Millennium Development Goals, the SDGs cannot be achieved without far-reaching change in domestic policy and action even in wealthy developed countries like Sweden. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are intended as the reference point for international development until 2030. Most of the targets are, implicitly or explicitly, global; to be reached by concerted international action. But in contrast to the Millennium Development Goals, the SDGs cannot be achieved without far-reaching change in domestic policy and action even in wealthy developed countries like Sweden.

]]> Wed, 16 Sep 2015 12:51:40 +0000 Måns Nilsson; Åsa Persson; Nina Weitz; Sandra Tenggren https://www.sei.org/publications/sustainable-development-goals-for-sweden-insights-on-setting-a-national-agenda/ Publication Biodiversity, wetland ecosystems and flood risks: Implications of hydropower expansion on the Magdalena River https://www.sei.org/publications/biodiversity-wetland-ecosystems-and-flood-risks-implications-of-hydropower-expansion-on-the-magdalena-river/ This fact sheet presents the first results of modelling in the Magdalena River Basin in Colombia using new WEAP enhancements to capture large-scale floodplain and wetland flooding processes. This fact sheet presents the first results of modelling in the Magdalena River Basin in Colombia using new WEAP enhancements to capture large-scale floodplain and wetland flooding processes.

]]> Fri, 11 Sep 2015 16:50:10 +0000 Marisa Escobar; Bart (A.J.) Wickel https://www.sei.org/publications/biodiversity-wetland-ecosystems-and-flood-risks-implications-of-hydropower-expansion-on-the-magdalena-river/ Publication From Theory to Practice of Change: Lessons from SNV’s Improved Cookstoves and Fuel Projects in Cambodia, Kenya, Nepal and Rwanda https://www.sei.org/publications/from-theory-to-practice-of-change-lessons-from-snvs-improved-cookstoves-and-fuel-projects-in-cambodia-kenya-nepal-and-rwanda/ This report compares the approach to cookstoves of SNV, the Netherlands Development Organisation, with evidence from the sector about how interventions can lead to market transformation. This report compares the approach to cookstoves of SNV, the Netherlands Development Organisation, with evidence from the sector about how interventions can lead to market transformation.

]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2015 22:00:00 +0000 Fiona Lambe; Marie Jürisoo; Oliver Johnson; Cassilde Muhoza; Hannah Wanjiru https://www.sei.org/publications/from-theory-to-practice-of-change-lessons-from-snvs-improved-cookstoves-and-fuel-projects-in-cambodia-kenya-nepal-and-rwanda/ Publication Visualizing connections: Mapping the landscape of adaptation research and practice through weADAPT https://www.sei.org/publications/visualizing-connections-mapping-the-landscape-of-adaptation-research-and-practice-through-weadapt/ This working paper describes a collaborative project to visually map climate change adaptation research and networks based on semantic tagging in weADAPT. This working paper describes a collaborative project to visually map climate change adaptation research and networks based on semantic tagging in weADAPT.

]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2015 02:08:29 +0000 Stacey Noel; Sukaina Bharwani; Ben Smith; Albert Salamanca; Agus Nugroho; Othniel Yila; Michael Rastall; Ha Nguyen https://www.sei.org/publications/visualizing-connections-mapping-the-landscape-of-adaptation-research-and-practice-through-weadapt/ Publication From eyesore to green oasis – the hidden beauty of post-industrial landscapes in Yorkshire https://www.sei.org/features/eyesore-green-oasis-hidden-beauty-post-industrial-landscapes-yorkshire/ Ecologists have called for the biodiversity of brownfield sites to be given more recognition and protection after a study undertaken by SEI researchers and the Environment Department at the University of York revealed two former collieries were rich in plants and animals. Ecologists have called for the biodiversity of brownfield sites to be given more recognition and protection after a study undertaken by SEI researchers and the Environment Department at the University of York revealed two former collieries were rich in plants and animals.

]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2015 07:03:30 +0000 Howard Cambridge https://www.sei.org/features/eyesore-green-oasis-hidden-beauty-post-industrial-landscapes-yorkshire/ Feature NASA data and images help increase climate resilience in the Mekong region https://www.sei.org/features/nasa-data-images-help-increase-climate-resilience-mekong-region/ SEI is working with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to use satellite imagery to help the Mekong region to better predict and cope with natural disasters. SEI is working with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to use satellite imagery to help the Mekong region to better predict and cope with natural disasters.

]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2015 01:00:12 +0000 Rajesh Daniel https://www.sei.org/features/nasa-data-images-help-increase-climate-resilience-mekong-region/ Feature Mobility: A New Urban Design and Transport Planning Philosophy for a Sustainable Future https://www.sei.org/publications/mobility-a-new-urban-design-and-transport-planning-philosophy-for-a-sustainable-future/ This book sets out exactly what can be done to convert all towns and cities into attractive places in which to live and work. This book sets out exactly what can be done to convert all towns and cities into attractive places in which to live and work.

]]> Tue, 08 Sep 2015 07:43:27 +0000 John Whitelegg https://www.sei.org/publications/mobility-a-new-urban-design-and-transport-planning-philosophy-for-a-sustainable-future/ Publication Exploring the economic case for climate action in cities https://www.sei.org/publications/exploring-the-economic-case-for-climate-action-in-cities/ This article provides the first detailed assessment of the economic case for cities to invest in low-carbon development. This article provides the first detailed assessment of the economic case for cities to invest in low-carbon development.

]]> Tue, 08 Sep 2015 07:03:53 +0000 Johan C. I. Kuylenstierna https://www.sei.org/publications/exploring-the-economic-case-for-climate-action-in-cities/ Publication Exploring the Links between Post-Industrial Landscape History and Ecology through Participatory Methods https://www.sei.org/publications/exploring-the-links-between-post-industrial-landscape-history-and-ecology-through-participatory-methods/ This article highlights the role local knowledge can play in improving ecological interpretation of former mining sites which can then enhance future management plans to protect biodiversity. This article highlights the role local knowledge can play in improving ecological interpretation of former mining sites which can then enhance future management plans to protect biodiversity.

]]> Mon, 07 Sep 2015 13:03:27 +0000 Mike Ashmore; Steve Cinderby; Sarah West https://www.sei.org/publications/exploring-the-links-between-post-industrial-landscape-history-and-ecology-through-participatory-methods/ Publication Q&A: Louise Karlberg on tackling biomass scarcity https://www.sei.org/features/qa-louise-karlberg-tackling-biomass-scarcity/ Biomass is essential for all kinds of human needs and activities. In sub-Saharan Africa, people’s reliance on it is very often direct, because so many people work in small-scale subsistence agriculture, and burn wood and charcoal for fuel. But what happens when biomass runs out? Biomass is essential for all kinds of human needs and activities. In sub-Saharan Africa, people’s reliance on it is very often direct, because so many people work in small-scale subsistence agriculture, and burn wood and charcoal for fuel. But what happens when biomass runs out?

]]> Fri, 04 Sep 2015 08:25:48 +0000 Tom Gill https://www.sei.org/features/qa-louise-karlberg-tackling-biomass-scarcity/ Feature