SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Thu, 15 Oct 2026 19:27:28 +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 Are interventions for environmentally sustainable dietary behaviours effective? A review https://www.sei.org/publications/environmentally-sustainable-dietary-behaviours/ This review examines existing interventions aimed at reducing food waste and encouraging diets that are more environmentally sustainable, focusing on strategies to influence consumer behaviour. This review examines existing interventions aimed at reducing food waste and encouraging diets that are more environmentally sustainable, focusing on strategies to influence consumer behaviour.

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:06:42 +0000 Ylva Ran; Biljana Macura https://www.sei.org/publications/environmentally-sustainable-dietary-behaviours/ Publication Yorkshire moorland fires: Andreas Heinemeyer speaks on BBC about management https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/yorkshire-moorland-fires-andreas-heinemeyer-speaks-on-bbc-about-management/ Yorkshire’s moorland fires are on the rise this summer, but could smarter land management reduce the danger? BBC spoke with peatland expert Andreas Heinemeyer, who explains why controlled heather growth, diverse (i.e., controlled burning or cutting) landscape management, and realistic wildfire strategies matter. Yorkshire’s moorland fires are on the rise this summer, but could smarter land management reduce the danger? BBC spoke with peatland expert Andreas Heinemeyer, who explains why controlled heather growth, diverse (i.e., controlled burning or cutting) landscape management, and realistic wildfire strategies matter.

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:27:14 +0000 Jennifer Aghaji https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/yorkshire-moorland-fires-andreas-heinemeyer-speaks-on-bbc-about-management/ Press The Welfare Footprint Framework can help balance animal welfare with other food system priorities https://www.sei.org/publications/animal-welfare-food-european-chicken-commitment/ SEI Senior Scientist Cleo Verkuijl co-authored a study published in Nature Food that quantifies the benefits of switching to raising higher welfare, slower-growing chicken breeds. SEI Senior Scientist Cleo Verkuijl co-authored a study published in Nature Food that quantifies the benefits of switching to raising higher welfare, slower-growing chicken breeds.

]]> Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:45:06 +0000 Cleo Verkuijl https://www.sei.org/publications/animal-welfare-food-european-chicken-commitment/ Publication Transforming food systems in Southeast Asia: the challenge of food loss and waste https://www.sei.org/publications/food-loss-waste-southeast-asia/ In his opening speech at the first global Food Systems Summit, UN Secretary Secretary-General António Guterres stated that “food systems are broken – and billions of people are paying the price”. Approximately 19% of all food available to consumers is wasted, while 13% of food is lost in the supply chain from post-harvest up to retail. Food loss and waste (FLW) perpetuates food and nutrition insecurity and exacerbates the climate and environmental costs of food systems. In his opening speech at the first global Food Systems Summit, UN Secretary Secretary-General António Guterres stated that “food systems are broken – and billions of people are paying the price”. Approximately 19% of all food available to consumers is wasted, while 13% of food is lost in the supply chain from post-harvest up to retail. Food loss and waste (FLW) perpetuates food and nutrition insecurity and exacerbates the climate and environmental costs of food systems.

]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:06:10 +0000 Chloe Pottinger-Glass; Isabelle Mallon; Raja Asvanon; Diane Archer https://www.sei.org/publications/food-loss-waste-southeast-asia/ Publication Supporting researchers’ engagement in international science-policy bodies https://www.sei.org/publications/research-engagement-science-policy/ International science-policy assessments convene scientists across the globe to inform climate and sustainable development policy. However, the largely voluntary nature of these efforts disadvantage researchers from lower-income countries or underresourced institutions. In this Nature Sustainability article, researchers including SEI US Centre Director Ed Carr stress the importance of providing greater institutional support to scientists who contribute to these global conversations. International science-policy assessments convene scientists across the globe to inform climate and sustainable development policy. However, the largely voluntary nature of these efforts disadvantage researchers from lower-income countries or underresourced institutions. In this Nature Sustainability article, researchers including SEI US Centre Director Ed Carr stress the importance of providing greater institutional support to scientists who contribute to these global conversations.

]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:05:49 +0000 Ed Carr https://www.sei.org/publications/research-engagement-science-policy/ Publication Climate risks and resilience in South-East Asia’s culturally significant ricescapes https://www.sei.org/publications/climate-risks-resilience-southeast-asia-ricescapes/ As the impacts of climate change intensify across Asia and the Pacific, intangible cultural heritage has both vulnerabilities and resilience embedded in it, and communities need support to ensure the continuity of their ICH.The interconnectedness of cultural practices, ecosystems and climate resilience demands a fundamental shift in how we approach safeguarding. As the impacts of climate change intensify across Asia and the Pacific, intangible cultural heritage has both vulnerabilities and resilience embedded in it, and communities need support to ensure the continuity of their ICH.

The interconnectedness of cultural practices, ecosystems and climate resilience demands a fundamental shift in how we approach safeguarding.

]]> Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:01:03 +0000 Albert Salamanca https://www.sei.org/publications/climate-risks-resilience-southeast-asia-ricescapes/ Publication Aastas poolsada inimelu nõudvad kuumalained eeldavad linnade ümberkujundamist https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/parnumaa-kohaneb-kuumalainetega/ Igal aastal nõuavad kuumalained Eestis ligi poolsada inimelu. Kliimamuutuste tekitatud kahju vähendamiseks kaardistab Pärnumaa oma kuumasaari ja maalihete ohtu ning pakub välja tõenduspõhiseid lahendusi kliimamuutustega kohanemiseks, mida saavad kasutada ka teised omavalitsused. Igal aastal nõuavad kuumalained Eestis ligi poolsada inimelu. Kliimamuutuste tekitatud kahju vähendamiseks kaardistab Pärnumaa oma kuumasaari ja maalihete ohtu ning pakub välja tõenduspõhiseid lahendusi kliimamuutustega kohanemiseks, mida saavad kasutada ka teised omavalitsused.

]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2025 07:30:10 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/parnumaa-kohaneb-kuumalainetega/ Press The legal construct of mining conflicts https://www.sei.org/publications/legal-construct-mining-conflicts/ Mining governance frameworks have not adequately addressed structural inequities in resource development. In this journal article, SEI scientist Sara K. Phillips looks at how mining contracts and dispute resolution processes influence power, participation, and conflict in the mining sector. Mining governance frameworks have not adequately addressed structural inequities in resource development. In this journal article, SEI scientist Sara K. Phillips looks at how mining contracts and dispute resolution processes influence power, participation, and conflict in the mining sector.

]]> Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:38:37 +0000 Sara K. Phillips https://www.sei.org/publications/legal-construct-mining-conflicts/ Publication Marine plastic pollution and extended producer responsibility in the G20 https://www.sei.org/publications/marine-plastic-pollution-extended-producer-responsibility-g20/ In light of global plastic treaty negotiations and ongoing efforts in the G20, the authors provide a synopsis of policy and research, based on a scoping review, and recommendations for policymakers to advance extended producer responsibility (EPR) and other complementary measures to prevent further growth of plastic pollution. In light of global plastic treaty negotiations and ongoing efforts in the G20, the authors provide a synopsis of policy and research, based on a scoping review, and recommendations for policymakers to advance extended producer responsibility (EPR) and other complementary measures to prevent further growth of plastic pollution.

]]> Wed, 13 Aug 2025 07:18:38 +0000 Julia Jokiaho; Shogofa Rezaie; Fedra Vanhuyse https://www.sei.org/publications/marine-plastic-pollution-extended-producer-responsibility-g20/ Publication Måns Nilsson appointed to UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration https://www.sei.org/features/mans-nilsson-appointed-to-un-cepa/ SEI’s Executive Director will contribute his expertise to the UN body guiding global work on public administration and governance for sustainable development. SEI’s Executive Director will contribute his expertise to the UN body guiding global work on public administration and governance for sustainable development.

]]> Tue, 12 Aug 2025 08:30:10 +0000 Oliver Garner https://www.sei.org/features/mans-nilsson-appointed-to-un-cepa/ Feature Sub-seasonal forecasting in Africa: training, tools development and support (S2S-FAcTS) https://www.sei.org/projects/sub-seasonal-forecasting-africa/ Through this project, SEI seeks to support decision-making at local, national and regional levels in sub-Saharan Africa by improving weather and climate information services. Through this project, SEI seeks to support decision-making at local, national and regional levels in sub-Saharan Africa by improving weather and climate information services.

]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2026 23:32:58 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/sub-seasonal-forecasting-africa/ Project Reduciendo la brecha en los indicadores de los ODS de la ONU: hacia una transición energética socialmente equitativa y ambientalmente responsable en el Altiplano argentino https://www.sei.org/publications/ods-transicion-energetica-argentina/ Basándose en un estudio de caso centrado en la minería de litio en Argentina, investigadores del SEI, junto con científicos argentinos locales, argumentan la importancia de incluir las perspectivas de las comunidades locales y los pueblos indígenas en el proceso de desarrollo de indicadores que midan el progreso hacia los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) de la ONU. Basándose en un estudio de caso centrado en la minería de litio en Argentina, investigadores del SEI, junto con científicos argentinos locales, argumentan la importancia de incluir las perspectivas de las comunidades locales y los pueblos indígenas en el proceso de desarrollo de indicadores que midan el progreso hacia los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) de la ONU.

]]> Fri, 08 Aug 2025 20:22:54 +0000 Laura Forni; Nyah Mallak; Andrea E. Izquierdo; Florencia Nieva; Lucrecia Estigarribia; Marina Mautner; Romina Díaz-Gómez https://www.sei.org/publications/ods-transicion-energetica-argentina/ Publication Addressing the gap in the UN’s SDG indicators: towards a socially equitable and environmentally responsible energy transition in the Argentine Altiplano https://www.sei.org/publications/sdg-energy-transition-argentina/ Based on a case study focused on lithium mining in Argentina, SEI researchers, along with local Argentinian scientists, argue the importance of including the perspectives local communities and Indigenous Peoples in the process of developing indicators measuring progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Based on a case study focused on lithium mining in Argentina, SEI researchers, along with local Argentinian scientists, argue the importance of including the perspectives local communities and Indigenous Peoples in the process of developing indicators measuring progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

]]> Fri, 08 Aug 2025 20:04:58 +0000 Laura Forni; Nyah Mallak; Andrea E. Izquierdo; Florencia Nieva; Lucrecia Estigarribia; Marina Mautner; Romina Díaz-Gómez https://www.sei.org/publications/sdg-energy-transition-argentina/ Publication Trends of particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in Dar es Salaam City between 2021 and 2022 https://www.sei.org/publications/trends-particulate-matter-concentrations-dar-es-salaam/ Dar es Salaam is the main commercial and industrial hub of Tanzania, hosting a high concentration of trade, services, and manufacturing activities, and is therefore considered an air pollution hotspot. For the air pollution baseline study reported here, the city installed 14 sensors to measure air quality in real time by tracking the amount of harmful particles in the air, PM2.5 and PM10, from May 2021 to February 2022. Dar es Salaam is the main commercial and industrial hub of Tanzania, hosting a high concentration of trade, services, and manufacturing activities, and is therefore considered an air pollution hotspot. For the air pollution baseline study reported here, the city installed 14 sensors to measure air quality in real time by tracking the amount of harmful particles in the air, PM2.5 and PM10, from May 2021 to February 2022.

]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2025 07:46:32 +0000 Asinta Manyele; Mbazingwa Mkiramweni; Jacqueline Senyagwa; Philip Osano; Romanus Opiyo; Lawrence Nzuve https://www.sei.org/publications/trends-particulate-matter-concentrations-dar-es-salaam/ Publication Challenging the governance blueprint: reflections from case studies in local energy https://www.sei.org/events/challenging-the-governance-blueprint/ Join us for the next installment of the Community Energy – Citizen Science (CE-CS) project Q&A series, delivered by Luke Gooding from SEI York. Drawing on interdisciplinary case studies in local energy, Luke will reflect on how dominant governance models can be reimagined through more inclusive, context‑sensitive, and community‑led approaches. Join us for the next installment of the Community Energy – Citizen Science (CE-CS) project Q&A series, delivered by Luke Gooding from SEI York. Drawing on interdisciplinary case studies in local energy, Luke will reflect on how dominant governance models can be reimagined through more inclusive, context‑sensitive, and community‑led approaches.

]]> Tue, 29 Jul 2025 10:04:53 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/challenging-the-governance-blueprint/ Event Extreme heat and heatwaves: hazard awareness and impact mitigation https://www.sei.org/publications/extreme-heatwaves-hazard-mitigation/ As global warming worsens, impacts of extreme weather events such as heatwaves continue to affect public health and claim lives. However, there is no universal definition of what constitutes a heatwave. SEI Affiliate Researcher Simon J. Mason and University of Adelaide Professor John Nairn advocate for the World Meteorological Association’s new definition of a heatwave in this The Lancet Planetary Health comment, in tandem with an early warning system for communities. As global warming worsens, impacts of extreme weather events such as heatwaves continue to affect public health and claim lives. However, there is no universal definition of what constitutes a heatwave. SEI Affiliate Researcher Simon J. Mason and University of Adelaide Professor John Nairn advocate for the World Meteorological Association’s new definition of a heatwave in this The Lancet Planetary Health comment, in tandem with an early warning system for communities.

]]> Sat, 02 Aug 2025 00:11:30 +0000 Simon Mason https://www.sei.org/publications/extreme-heatwaves-hazard-mitigation/ Publication Predicting California water-year types using seasonal climate forecasts https://www.sei.org/publications/california-climate-forecast/ Available water resources in the state of California vary year to year because of the region’s unique geography and climate. This leads to difficulty forecasting water conditions, and can lead to inaccurate water allocations. Researchers designed a model that incorporates seasonal forecasts of temperature and precipitation, providing a potential method to better inform water allocation decisions in the state. Available water resources in the state of California vary year to year because of the region’s unique geography and climate. This leads to difficulty forecasting water conditions, and can lead to inaccurate water allocations. Researchers designed a model that incorporates seasonal forecasts of temperature and precipitation, providing a potential method to better inform water allocation decisions in the state.

]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2025 22:34:33 +0000 Charles A. Young; Vishal Mehta https://www.sei.org/publications/california-climate-forecast/ Publication Maakonnaplaneeringute kasutamise praktikate kaardistamine https://www.sei.org/projects/maakonnaplaneeringud/ SEI Tallinn toetab majandus- ja kommunikatsiooniministeeriumi maakonnaplaneeringute ülevaatuse ettevalmistamisel, kogudes ja analüüsides selleks kohalike omavalitsuste kogemusi. Töö keskmes on maakonnaplaneeringute elluviimise, kasutamise ja järgimise praktikate mõistmine, kitsaskohtade kaardistamine ning soovituste andmine planeerimissüsteemi tõhustamiseks. SEI Tallinn toetab majandus- ja kommunikatsiooniministeeriumi maakonnaplaneeringute ülevaatuse ettevalmistamisel, kogudes ja analüüsides selleks kohalike omavalitsuste kogemusi. Töö keskmes on maakonnaplaneeringute elluviimise, kasutamise ja järgimise praktikate mõistmine, kitsaskohtade kaardistamine ning soovituste andmine planeerimissüsteemi tõhustamiseks.

]]> Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:07:22 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/maakonnaplaneeringud/ Project Reviewing Estonia’s county-level planning practices through municipalities’ implementation experiences https://www.sei.org/projects/county-planning/ SEI Tallinn supports the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications in reviewing regional spatial plans by collecting and analysing municipalities’ practical experiences. It aims to identify obstacles and added value in implementing county-level planning and provide input for strategic improvements in Estonia’s spatial planning system. SEI Tallinn supports the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications in reviewing regional spatial plans by collecting and analysing municipalities’ practical experiences. It aims to identify obstacles and added value in implementing county-level planning and provide input for strategic improvements in Estonia’s spatial planning system.

]]> Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:07:36 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/county-planning/ Project Avaliku sektori toitlustuse riigihangete keskkonnahoidlike kriteeriumide rakendusuuring koos piloteerimisega https://www.sei.org/projects/keskkonnahoidlikud-toitlustuse-riigihanked/ Projekt töötatab välja teadus- ja tõenduspõhise keskkonnahoidlike riigihangete kriteeriumide mudeli, mida avalik sektor saab kasutada toitlustusteenuste ja toidu hankimiseks. Projekt töötatab välja teadus- ja tõenduspõhise keskkonnahoidlike riigihangete kriteeriumide mudeli, mida avalik sektor saab kasutada toitlustusteenuste ja toidu hankimiseks.

]]> Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:36:13 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/keskkonnahoidlikud-toitlustuse-riigihanked/ Project