SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 20:25:23 +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 Scaling community energy in the UK: what national policy must address to enable local delivery https://www.sei.org/publications/scaling-community-energy-in-the-uk/ The UK has signalled renewed ambition to invest in efforts to accelerate the growth of community-owned energy to help communities “reap the benefits of clean, secure, home-grown energy” (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, 2024). Such ambition requires the right enabling conditions, which have yet to be realized.Key barriers identified include development-stage risk, weak organizational capacity, limited access to infrastructure and markets, and uneven conditions for participation.Ma... The UK has signalled renewed ambition to invest in efforts to accelerate the growth of community-owned energy to help communities “reap the benefits of clean, secure, home-grown energy” (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, 2024). Such ambition requires the right enabling conditions, which have yet to be realized.

Key barriers identified include development-stage risk, weak organizational capacity, limited access to infrastructure and markets, and uneven conditions for participation.

Many of the systems shaping delivery, from grid access to procurement, still work better for larger commercial actors than for community-scale organizations and for communities that have more organizational capacity and more financial wherewithal.

Policy and implementation must move beyond solely funding individual projects to creating the conditions for sustained local delivery. This must address regulations, the market, access to infrastructure, and organizational capacities of communities themselves.

These issues are essential to the aim of expanding community energy, which directly supports wider policy goals such as energy affordability, local economic resilience, and public participation in low-carbon transitions.

]]> Mon, 21 Sep 2026 07:30:10 +0000 Luke Gooding; Sarah West https://www.sei.org/publications/scaling-community-energy-in-the-uk/ Publication Air quality science: the story of our research group https://www.sei.org/features/air-quality-science/ SEI York’s Air Quality, Climate and Environmental Change (AQCEC) research group works at the intersection of air pollution, climate change and public health. Since the group began in the 1990s, our thinking has evolved; here’s what we have learned along the way. SEI York’s Air Quality, Climate and Environmental Change (AQCEC) research group works at the intersection of air pollution, climate change and public health. Since the group began in the 1990s, our thinking has evolved; here’s what we have learned along the way.

]]> Fri, 18 Sep 2026 09:49:32 +0000 Jennifer Aghaji https://www.sei.org/features/air-quality-science/ Feature Protecting tropical forests is more cost-effective for biodiversity and climate than restoration https://www.sei.org/publications/protecting-tropical-forests-restoration/ This research compares the cost-effectiveness of different protection strategies in the Brazilian Amazon tropical forest, a globally important area for biodiversity and carbon storage that is threatened by deforestation and forest disturbances. This research compares the cost-effectiveness of different protection strategies in the Brazilian Amazon tropical forest, a globally important area for biodiversity and carbon storage that is threatened by deforestation and forest disturbances.

]]> Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:02:15 +0000 Toby Gardner https://www.sei.org/publications/protecting-tropical-forests-restoration/ Publication The State of the Bioeconomy in Eastern Africa: 2026 https://www.sei.org/publications/state-of-the-bioeconomy-in-eastern-africa-2026/ The State of the Bioeconomy in Eastern Africa: 2026 is the third in a series of biennial status reports that track progress in the region and support implementation of the East African Community (EAC) Regional Bioeconomy Strategy (2021/22–2031/32). The State of the Bioeconomy in Eastern Africa: 2026 is the third in a series of biennial status reports that track progress in the region and support implementation of the East African Community (EAC) Regional Bioeconomy Strategy (2021/22–2031/32).

]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2026 07:17:40 +0000 Ivar Virgin; Alphayo Lutta https://www.sei.org/publications/state-of-the-bioeconomy-in-eastern-africa-2026/ Publication Ukraine’s green recovery starts with documenting war damage https://www.sei.org/features/ukraines-green-recovery-documenting-war-damage/ Ukraine’s green recovery begins with documenting environmental destruction now, which is essential to pursuing accountability, guiding restoration and supporting sustainable reconstruction. Ukraine’s green recovery begins with documenting environmental destruction now, which is essential to pursuing accountability, guiding restoration and supporting sustainable reconstruction.

]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2026 07:25:52 +0000 Ilona Kazaryan https://www.sei.org/features/ukraines-green-recovery-documenting-war-damage/ Feature Amazonian study identifies most effective ways of conserving biodiversity and carbon https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/most-effective-ways-of-conserving-biodiversity-and-carbon/ As the 2026 El Niño intensifies across the Amazon, new research highlights the urgent need to better protect the region’s remaining forests from disturbances. While measures to avoid deforestation or restore cleared land dominate many conservation strategies, approaches to protect existing forests from disturbances, including selective logging and wildfires, can often provide the biggest “bang for your buck”, a new study, published today in Science shows. As the 2026 El Niño intensifies across the Amazon, new research highlights the urgent need to better protect the region’s remaining forests from disturbances. 

While measures to avoid deforestation or restore cleared land dominate many conservation strategies, approaches to protect existing forests from disturbances, including selective logging and wildfires, can often provide the biggest “bang for your buck”, a new study, published today in Science shows.

]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:15:00 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/most-effective-ways-of-conserving-biodiversity-and-carbon/ Press Introducing the OPERA database https://www.sei.org/publications/introducing-opera-database/ With AI and large language models comes new opportunities to extract and classify evidence from unstructured policy documents at a large scale. SEI has developed the outcomes and process evidence from reviews and audits database (OPERA) to find evidence for the relationship between policy process and outcome – and use both to evaluate policy success. This brief presents OPERA, and reflects on the evidence. With AI and large language models comes new opportunities to extract and classify evidence from unstructured policy documents at a large scale. SEI has developed the outcomes and process evidence from reviews and audits database (OPERA) to find evidence for the relationship between policy process and outcome – and use both to evaluate policy success. This brief presents OPERA, and reflects on the evidence.

]]> Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:04:13 +0000 Kira Kappe; Adis Dzebo https://www.sei.org/publications/introducing-opera-database/ Publication Estimating the vulnerability contribution to 1990–2019 changes in the health burden of ambient air pollution: a global modelling study https://www.sei.org/publications/air-pollution-vulnerability-health-burden/ Reducing PM2.5 exposure is important for addressing the health effects of air pollution. However, population vulnerability varies with health conditions, access to healthcare, and other factors. This study examines how changes in PM2.5 vulnerability influenced PM2.5 linked deaths from 1990 to 2019 across 193 countries. Reducing PM2.5 exposure is important for addressing the health effects of air pollution. However, population vulnerability varies with health conditions, access to healthcare, and other factors. This study examines how changes in PM2.5 vulnerability influenced PM2.5 linked deaths from 1990 to 2019 across 193 countries.

]]> Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:58:40 +0000 Chris Malley; Drew T Shindell https://www.sei.org/publications/air-pollution-vulnerability-health-burden/ Publication Kenya launches its National Bioeconomy Strategy 2026–2036 https://www.sei.org/features/kenya-launches-national-bioeconomy-strategy/ Kenya has launched its first National Bioeconomy Strategy, becoming one of a small number of African countries with a dedicated national bioeconomy strategy. Kenya has launched its first National Bioeconomy Strategy, becoming one of a small number of African countries with a dedicated national bioeconomy strategy.

]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2026 07:51:51 +0000 Vivian Maina; Charity Waeni Mutisya https://www.sei.org/features/kenya-launches-national-bioeconomy-strategy/ Feature Lessons for development research beyond results reporting https://www.sei.org/perspectives/lessons-development-research-results-reporting/ Development cooperation organizations invest heavily in results reporting systems to identify “what works”. However, new research reveals that much learning happens at earlier stages of the project cycle. If reporting is not a major driver of learning or decision-making, then the extensive – and costly – systems currently in place may need to be reconsidered, and more emphasis should be placed on project planning. Development cooperation organizations invest heavily in results reporting systems to identify “what works”. However, new research reveals that much learning happens at earlier stages of the project cycle. If reporting is not a major driver of learning or decision-making, then the extensive – and costly – systems currently in place may need to be reconsidered, and more emphasis should be placed on project planning.

]]> Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:30:03 +0000 Janet Vähämäki; Annika Hilgert; Kathrin Wolf; Martin Bruder https://www.sei.org/perspectives/lessons-development-research-results-reporting/ Perspective Six questions about air pollution and business ahead of Climate Week NYC https://www.sei.org/features/businesses-at-climate-week-nyc/ As Climate Week NYC approaches, we looked at what people are regularly searching for online about air pollution and the private sector. Here, we answer six of these questions in plain language, using widely available data, which we hope will start conversations about clean air. As Climate Week NYC approaches, we looked at what people are regularly searching for online about air pollution and the private sector. Here, we answer six of these questions in plain language, using widely available data, which we hope will start conversations about clean air.

]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2026 08:25:48 +0000 Ananya Choudhury; Frances Ryan; Jennifer Aghaji https://www.sei.org/features/businesses-at-climate-week-nyc/ Feature Rapid increase of climate extremes reveals new areas of concern in Amazonia https://www.sei.org/publications/rapid-increase-climate-extremes-amazonia/ Climate extremes can have profound impacts on ecosystems and communities across Amazonia. This research examines how these conditions are changing across the region, capturing spatial and seasonal variation in temperature, rainfall and water deficit. Climate extremes can have profound impacts on ecosystems and communities across Amazonia. This research examines how these conditions are changing across the region, capturing spatial and seasonal variation in temperature, rainfall and water deficit.

]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:09:16 +0000 Toby Gardner https://www.sei.org/publications/rapid-increase-climate-extremes-amazonia/ Publication UCFS Singapore 2026: Breakfast briefing in partnership with Stockholm Environment Institute https://www.sei.org/events/ucfs-singapore-2026-breakfast-briefing/ As part of Unlocking Capital for Sustainability (UCFS) Singapore 2026, this exclusive breakfast briefing, led by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), will examine the barriers preventing capital from reaching vulnerable communities and showcase practical solutions to close both the capacity and financing gaps. As part of Unlocking Capital for Sustainability (UCFS) Singapore 2026, this exclusive breakfast briefing, led by Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), will examine the barriers preventing capital from reaching vulnerable communities and showcase practical solutions to close both the capacity and financing gaps.

]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:32:41 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/ucfs-singapore-2026-breakfast-briefing/ Event Powering equity: addressing energy insecurity in New York through data, modelling and engagement https://www.sei.org/projects/powering-equity-energy-insecurity-new-york/ This project aims to help planners and policymakers alleviate energy insecurity across New York State. This project aims to help planners and policymakers alleviate energy insecurity across New York State.

]]> Fri, 04 Sep 2026 21:04:16 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/powering-equity-energy-insecurity-new-york/ Project Data Sharing Tool (DST) https://www.sei.org/tools/data-sharing-tool-dst/ The Data Sharing Tool (DST) is a secure, flexible, and scalable platform developed to help National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) manage, control, and share climate data with authorized users. The Data Sharing Tool (DST) is a secure, flexible, and scalable platform developed to help National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) manage, control, and share climate data with authorized users.

]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:07:35 +0000 https://www.sei.org/tools/data-sharing-tool-dst/ Tool What is citizen science and how does it relate to other participatory methods? (CS Co-labs discussion 1) https://www.sei.org/events/what-is-citizen-science/ Researchers from SEI, the University of York and further afield joined us for the first CS Co-labs discussion session on Wednesday 9th September. We provided a general introduction to citizen science, as we understand it, and then facilitated a discussion inviting participant’s views and experiences. Researchers from SEI, the University of York and further afield joined us for the first CS Co-labs discussion session on Wednesday 9th September. We provided a general introduction to citizen science, as we understand it, and then facilitated a discussion inviting participant’s views and experiences. 

]]> Tue, 25 Aug 2026 11:26:52 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/what-is-citizen-science/ Event As El Niño looms, study finds rapid growth in climate extremes are hitting an unexpected region of the Amazon hardest https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/rapid-growth-in-climate-extremes-are-hitting-an-unexpected-region-of-the-amazon-hardest/ The central north Amazon, with extensive areas of high forest cover, natural savannas and vast and important indigenous territories, was not previously considered as being the most affected by climate change. However, this region, which is considered critical to Amazonia’s cultural and biodiversity wealth has unexpectedly found itself at the forefront of rapid growth in climate extremes, a new study reveals. The central north Amazon, with extensive areas of high forest cover, natural savannas and vast and important indigenous territories, was not previously considered as being the most affected by climate change. However, this region, which is considered critical to Amazonia’s cultural and biodiversity wealth has unexpectedly found itself at the forefront of rapid growth in climate extremes, a new study reveals.

]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/rapid-growth-in-climate-extremes-are-hitting-an-unexpected-region-of-the-amazon-hardest/ Press Clinker-free cement: calcined clay paves a path to cement decarbonization https://www.sei.org/publications/clinker-free-cement-calcined-clay-decarbonization/ Calcined clay kiln projects, which use a millennia-old technology, are now the subject of renewed interest as a potential cement decarbonization solution.New commercial scale calcined clay projects have gone online recently, particularly in emerging markets.Calcined clay has the potential to become a strategically important technology in the construction sector especially for regions rich in kaolinitic clay and lacking limestone for clinker production, in addition to providing an emissions re... Calcined clay kiln projects, which use a millennia-old technology, are now the subject of renewed interest as a potential cement decarbonization solution.

New commercial scale calcined clay projects have gone online recently, particularly in emerging markets.

Calcined clay has the potential to become a strategically important technology in the construction sector especially for regions rich in kaolinitic clay and lacking limestone for clinker production, in addition to providing an emissions reduction pathway.

Government capital co-investment is less important to the success of many calcined clay projects, unlike for carbon capture, use and sequestration (CCUS), where government funding is critical.

]]> Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:11:04 +0000 Perez Yeptho; Aaron Maltais https://www.sei.org/publications/clinker-free-cement-calcined-clay-decarbonization/ Publication Hidden assets: the economic and health case for climate and clean air action https://www.sei.org/publications/economic-health-case-climate-clean-air-action/ The assessment examines the economic, health and climate benefits of 25 proven solutions across energy, industry, transport, agriculture, cooking and waste. The goal is to provide evidence and actionable insights to accelerate implementation, improve health and strengthen economies, and to highlight the urgent need for integrated climate and clean air solutions. Working with UNEP, CCAC and a range of partners, SEI co-authored and coordinated the development of the assessment. The assessment examines the economic, health and climate benefits of 25 proven solutions across energy, industry, transport, agriculture, cooking and waste. The goal is to provide evidence and actionable insights to accelerate implementation, improve health and strengthen economies, and to highlight the urgent need for integrated climate and clean air solutions.

Working with UNEP, CCAC and a range of partners, SEI co-authored and coordinated the development of the assessment.

]]> Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:13:58 +0000 Kevin Hicks; Katy Brooke; Chris Malley; Johan C. I. Kuylenstierna; Howard Cambridge https://www.sei.org/publications/economic-health-case-climate-clean-air-action/ Publication Unravelling the drivers of European urban and rural carbon footprints over time https://www.sei.org/publications/european-urban-rural-carbon-footprints/ This study explores how the place where people live shapes their carbon footprint. Consumption is a key driver of increasing global greenhouse gas emissions, but its relationship to urban and rural living is complex and changing over time. This study explores how the place where people live shapes their carbon footprint. Consumption is a key driver of increasing global greenhouse gas emissions, but its relationship to urban and rural living is complex and changing over time.

]]> Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:46:37 +0000 Peter Robert Walke https://www.sei.org/publications/european-urban-rural-carbon-footprints/ Publication