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 JET-AFOLU Tool (Just and Equitable Transitions Assessment Tool for the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Uses Sector in Latin America and the Caribbean) https://www.sei.org/projects/jet-afolu-tool-just-and-equitable-transitions-assessment-tool-for-the-agriculture-forestry-and-other-land-uses-sector-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/ This project is developing a practical assessment tool to help countries in Latin America and the Caribbean ensure that their transitions towards sustainable agriculture, forestry, and land use practices are just and equitable, benefiting both the environment and vulnerable communities. This project is developing a practical assessment tool to help countries in Latin America and the Caribbean ensure that their transitions towards sustainable agriculture, forestry, and land use practices are just and equitable, benefiting both the environment and vulnerable communities.

]]> Wed, 14 May 2025 20:27:21 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/jet-afolu-tool-just-and-equitable-transitions-assessment-tool-for-the-agriculture-forestry-and-other-land-uses-sector-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/ Project Particulate matter concentrations in UK schools: a nationwide study into the influence of ambient PM2.5 and the resulting exposure potentials https://www.sei.org/publications/particulate-matter-uk-schools/ Particulate matter (PM) is linked to multiple negative health impacts, especially PM2.5 (PM smaller than 2.5 μm), which can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Children are even more vulnerable to these impacts as they breathe in more air relative to their size than adults. The authors of this paper analysed concentrations of PM2.5 in UK schools, using data gathered by the SAMHE (Schools’ Air Quality Monitoring for Health and Education) project. Particulate matter (PM) is linked to multiple negative health impacts, especially PM2.5  (PM smaller than 2.5 μm), which can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Children are even more vulnerable to these impacts as they breathe in more air relative to their size than adults. The authors of this paper analysed concentrations of PM2.5 in UK schools, using data gathered by the SAMHE (Schools’ Air Quality Monitoring for Health and Education) project.

]]> Tue, 13 May 2025 08:59:00 +0000 Chris Malley; Sarah West; Lucy Way; Sam Bland; Rhys Archer; Douglas Wang https://www.sei.org/publications/particulate-matter-uk-schools/ Publication Shifting Investment-Driven Consumption Emissions https://www.sei.org/projects/shifting-investment-driven-consumption-emissions/ The Shifting Investment-Driven Consumption Emissions (Shift-ICE) project is our next step towards developing a robust set of quantitative evidence and methodologies to examine carbon inequality. This project seeks to examine how public and private investments contribute to the lock-in of consumption emissions and how climate policy can effectively and fairly manage the relationships between investment decisions and consumption emissions. The Shifting Investment-Driven Consumption Emissions (Shift-ICE) project is our next step towards developing a robust set of quantitative evidence and methodologies to examine carbon inequality. This project seeks to examine how public and private investments contribute to the lock-in of consumption emissions and how climate policy can effectively and fairly manage the relationships between investment decisions and consumption emissions.

]]> Tue, 13 May 2025 20:00:23 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/shifting-investment-driven-consumption-emissions/ Project Mainstreaming sustainable living: lessons from the SCORAI Europe 2025 Conference https://www.sei.org/features/mainstreaming-sustainable-living-scorai-2025/ At SCORAI Europe 2025, SEI researchers shared powerful tools and real-world case studies, showing how fair, context-specific approaches rooted in everyday life and wellbeing can help make sustainable living the norm – and returned inspired to go further. At SCORAI Europe 2025, SEI researchers shared powerful tools and real-world case studies, showing how fair, context-specific approaches rooted in everyday life and wellbeing can help make sustainable living the norm – and returned inspired to go further.

]]> Tue, 13 May 2025 08:05:58 +0000 Karin André; Katarina Axelsson; Julia Jokiaho; Peter Robert Walke https://www.sei.org/features/mainstreaming-sustainable-living-scorai-2025/ Feature As Thailand chokes on smog, these citizens wrote the law to fix it https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/thailand-smog-law/ A small group of volunteers is challenging Thailand’s powerful industries with the country’s first citizen-drafted Clean Air Bill. Their seven-year battle against toxic air is now reaching a critical point in parliament. A small group of volunteers is challenging Thailand’s powerful industries with the country’s first citizen-drafted Clean Air Bill. Their seven-year battle against toxic air is now reaching a critical point in parliament.

]]> Mon, 12 May 2025 15:23:00 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/thailand-smog-law/ Press A toxic silence: How Myanmar’s gold rush threatens international rivers https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/a-toxic-silence/ SHAN STATE, MYANMAR – Unregulated gold mining in eastern Shan State raises concerns about the risk of cyanide contamination in key transboundary rivers near the Thai–Myanmar border, including the Mekong. SHAN STATE, MYANMAR – Unregulated gold mining in eastern Shan State raises concerns about the risk of cyanide contamination in key transboundary rivers near the Thai–Myanmar border, including the Mekong.

]]> Mon, 12 May 2025 16:13:17 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/a-toxic-silence/ Press HarvestStat: a global effort towards open and standardized sub-national agricultural data https://www.sei.org/publications/harveststat-agricultural-data/ The article introduces the HarvestStat sub-national data consortium as an open-source, collaborative model to improve agricultural production statistics by promoting data openness, quality assurance, and community engagement. The article introduces the HarvestStat sub-national data consortium as an open-source, collaborative model to improve agricultural production statistics by promoting data openness, quality assurance, and community engagement.

]]> Fri, 09 May 2025 14:52:30 +0000 Rafaela Flach https://www.sei.org/publications/harveststat-agricultural-data/ Publication Opportunities for microbiology citizen science: lessons learnt from three pilot projects https://www.sei.org/publications/microbiology-citizen-science/ This paper provided recommendations for microbiology citizen science projects. Among other key recommendations, the authors encourage prospective citizen science practitioners to be aware of time and ethical considerations, to keep sampling methods simple but robust, and to get creative to maintain participant engagement. This paper provided recommendations for microbiology citizen science projects. Among other key recommendations, the authors encourage prospective citizen science practitioners to be aware of time and ethical considerations, to keep sampling methods simple but robust, and to get creative to maintain participant engagement.

]]> Wed, 07 May 2025 07:00:11 +0000 Rachel Pateman; Lucy Way; Sarah West https://www.sei.org/publications/microbiology-citizen-science/ Publication Global governance of AI: sustainable and equitable futures https://www.sei.org/events/global-governance-of-ai-sei-su/ This high-level round-table dialogue brought together experts, policymakers and practitioners to explore the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and global governance. The event took place in person at Stockholm University and was also streamed live. This high-level round-table dialogue brought together experts, policymakers and practitioners to explore the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and global governance. The event took place in person at Stockholm University and was also streamed live. 

]]> Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:00:01 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/global-governance-of-ai-sei-su/ Event Fostering EU-LAC regulatory and technical cooperation for methane emissions reduction https://www.sei.org/projects/fostering-eu-lac-regulatory-and-technical-cooperation-for-methane-emissions-reduction/ Reducing methane emissions is now a top priority in the bi-regional political agenda between the European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This project aims to foster political convergence and strengthen cooperation on methane mitigation by aligning regulatory frameworks, enhancing Monitoring, Reporting and Verification systems, and advancing mitigation strategies in the energy, waste, and agriculture sectors. Reducing methane emissions is now a top priority in the bi-regional political agenda between the European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This project aims to foster political convergence and strengthen cooperation on methane mitigation by aligning regulatory frameworks, enhancing Monitoring, Reporting and Verification systems, and advancing mitigation strategies in the energy, waste, and agriculture sectors.

]]> Mon, 09 Jun 2025 21:01:41 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/fostering-eu-lac-regulatory-and-technical-cooperation-for-methane-emissions-reduction/ Project Ecological citizenship and the co-design of inclusive and resilient pathways for sustainable transitions https://www.sei.org/publications/ecological-citizenship-co-design-sustainable-transitions/ Ecological citizenship (EC) is an evolving practice which emphasizes shared responsibility towards ecological sustainability and social equity. This paper explores how EC offers an innovative approach to empower individuals and communities in the movement towards climate neutrality. Ecological citizenship (EC) is an evolving practice which emphasizes shared responsibility towards ecological sustainability and social equity. This paper explores how EC offers an innovative approach to empower individuals and communities in the movement towards climate neutrality. 

]]> Fri, 02 May 2025 11:27:40 +0000 Luke Gooding https://www.sei.org/publications/ecological-citizenship-co-design-sustainable-transitions/ Publication Call for abstracts: Earth Observation Data for Wetland Dynamics and Ecosystem Monitoring at EGU 2025 https://www.sei.org/events/earth-observation-data-egu-2025/ SEI researchers are seeking abstracts from practitioners and scholars for their session at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2025 in Vienna, Austria from 27 April to 2 May 2025. The session focuses on the use of multitemporal earth observation data to study and monitor wetland ecosystems. The submission deadline is for January 15th 2025. SEI researchers are seeking abstracts from practitioners and scholars for their session at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2025 in Vienna, Austria from 27 April to 2 May 2025. The session focuses on the use of multitemporal earth observation data to study and monitor wetland ecosystems.

The submission deadline is for January 15th 2025.

]]> Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:38:11 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/earth-observation-data-egu-2025/ Event When conservation collides with local livelihoods: insights from wetlands in Bangladesh and India https://www.sei.org/perspectives/conservation-local-livelihoods-wetlands-bangladesh-india/ The seasonal haor wetlands of Bangladesh and beels of India sustain millions through fishing and farming, yet face a critical dilemma: conservation versus livelihoods. The article provides insights from the transboundary Meghna River Basin and calls for community-led solutions and policy coherence to safeguard local livelihoods and nature. The seasonal haor wetlands of Bangladesh and beels of India sustain millions through fishing and farming, yet face a critical dilemma: conservation versus livelihoods. The article provides insights from the transboundary Meghna River Basin and calls for community-led solutions and policy coherence to safeguard local livelihoods and nature.

]]> Fri, 02 May 2025 07:47:09 +0000 Uttam Ghimire https://www.sei.org/perspectives/conservation-local-livelihoods-wetlands-bangladesh-india/ Perspective Blackouts aren’t new – but is Europe’s grid ready for the next one? https://www.sei.org/perspectives/blackouts-arent-new-but-is-europes-grid-ready-for-the-next-one/ The blackout in Spain in April 2025 was not the first, and won’t be the last. But it tells us something important: the pace of electrification and renewables expansion is outstripping the pace of investment in grid resilience. The blackout in Spain in April 2025 was not the first, and won’t be the last. But it tells us something important: the pace of electrification and renewables expansion is outstripping the pace of investment in grid resilience.

]]> Fri, 02 May 2025 12:32:21 +0000 Maria Xylia https://www.sei.org/perspectives/blackouts-arent-new-but-is-europes-grid-ready-for-the-next-one/ Perspective La Amazonia más allá de las materias primas https://www.sei.org/projects/la-amazonia-mas-alla-de-las-materias-primas/ Este proyecto analiza cómo las cadenas de valor basadas en el origen geográfico y la diversidad biocultural pueden impulsar un desarrollo sostenible transformador. Se enfoca en los biocosméticos amazónicos en Brasil y los cafés especiales en Colombia, buscando lecciones aplicables a otras regiones tropicales, en el marco del creciente interés por los bosques en el contexto de la COP 30 en la Amazonía. Este proyecto analiza cómo las cadenas de valor basadas en el origen geográfico y la diversidad biocultural pueden impulsar un desarrollo sostenible transformador. Se enfoca en los biocosméticos amazónicos en Brasil y los cafés especiales en Colombia, buscando lecciones aplicables a otras regiones tropicales, en el marco del creciente interés por los bosques en el contexto de la COP 30 en la Amazonía. 

]]> Mon, 05 May 2025 02:49:18 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/la-amazonia-mas-alla-de-las-materias-primas/ Project The gender-energy nexus. Intersectional gender dynamics in Cesar, a coal phase-out region of Colombia https://www.sei.org/projects/the-gender-energy-nexus-intersectional-gender-dynamics-in-cesar-a-coal-phase-out-region-of-colombia/ The closure of coal mines in Cesar (Colombia) is not merely a technical or environmental process: it is tied to dynamics of gender, ethnicity, and other forms of structural inequality. This project uses an intersectional lens to understand who bears the costs of the energy transition and who benefits from it. Grounded in local evidence, we aim to produce policy recommendations that prevent the replication of historical exclusions and, instead, redistribute opportunities. The closure of coal mines in Cesar (Colombia) is not merely a technical or environmental process: it is tied to dynamics of gender, ethnicity, and other forms of structural inequality. This project uses an intersectional lens to understand who bears the costs of the energy transition and who benefits from it. Grounded in local evidence, we aim to produce policy recommendations that prevent the replication of historical exclusions and, instead, redistribute opportunities.

]]> Mon, 19 May 2025 21:55:22 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/the-gender-energy-nexus-intersectional-gender-dynamics-in-cesar-a-coal-phase-out-region-of-colombia/ Project Evaluación de erosión y sedimentación en una cuenca piloto afluente del Medio y Bajo Atrato https://www.sei.org/projects/evaluacion-de-erosion-y-sedimentacion-en-una-cuenca-piloto-afluente-del-medio-y-bajo-atrato/ Este proyecto busca evaluar los procesos de erosión y acumulación de sedimentos en una cuenca piloto en las regiones del Medio y Bajo Atrato a partir de datos de teledetección e información secundaria, con el fin de identificar zonas críticas de aporte y acumulación de sedimentos en la cuenca y su posible impacto en la dinámica superficial de las ciénagas y humedales en la región. Este proyecto busca evaluar los procesos de erosión y acumulación de sedimentos en una cuenca piloto en las regiones del Medio y Bajo Atrato a partir de datos de teledetección e información secundaria, con el fin de identificar zonas críticas de aporte y acumulación de sedimentos en la cuenca y su posible impacto en la dinámica superficial de las ciénagas y humedales en la región.

]]> Thu, 14 Aug 2025 02:01:26 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/evaluacion-de-erosion-y-sedimentacion-en-una-cuenca-piloto-afluente-del-medio-y-bajo-atrato/ Project Supporting the development of Kazakhstan’s NDC 3.0 https://www.sei.org/projects/supporting-the-development-of-kazakhstans-ndc-3-0/ SEI researchers worked with the Government of Kazakhstan to develop its third nationally determined contribution (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement, which details how the country can meet its responsibility to the international climate pact. SEI researchers worked with the Government of Kazakhstan to develop its third nationally determined contribution (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement, which details how the country can meet its responsibility to the international climate pact.

]]> Thu, 23 Oct 2025 22:10:12 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/supporting-the-development-of-kazakhstans-ndc-3-0/ Project Transiciones justas del carbón en Colombia https://www.sei.org/publications/transiciones-justas-del-carbon-en-colombia/ Este informe de políticas destaca los desafíos para una transición justa desde el carbón térmico en Colombia, con el fin de orientar políticas, cooperación al desarrollo, financiamiento privado, investigación y proyectos en terreno, y ofrecer aprendizajes útiles para investigadores y profesionales en otros contextos. Este informe de políticas destaca los desafíos para una transición justa desde el carbón térmico en Colombia, con el fin de orientar políticas, cooperación al desarrollo, financiamiento privado, investigación y proyectos en terreno, y ofrecer aprendizajes útiles para investigadores y profesionales en otros contextos.

]]> Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:53:55 +0000 Elisa Arond; José Vega Araújo https://www.sei.org/publications/transiciones-justas-del-carbon-en-colombia/ Publication Transición energética justa y carbón en Indonesia: recomendaciones de política https://www.sei.org/publications/transicion-energetica-justa-carbon-indonesia/ Este informe de políticas describe algunas de las barreras para una transición justa desde el carbón en Indonesia y ofrece recomendaciones a funcionarios gubernamentales, investigadores y profesionales sobre cómo superar estos obstáculos. Este informe de políticas describe algunas de las barreras para una transición justa desde el carbón en Indonesia y ofrece recomendaciones a funcionarios gubernamentales, investigadores y profesionales sobre cómo superar estos obstáculos.

]]> Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:31:23 +0000 Stefan Bößner; Elisa Arond https://www.sei.org/publications/transicion-energetica-justa-carbon-indonesia/ Publication