SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:53:50 +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 Insights for development interventions in the clean-energy sector, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa https://www.sei.org/publications/clean-energy-sector-development-insights/ This SEI brief highlights findings from a review of the literature on financing of renewable-energy and clean-cooking interventions. It focuses on sub-Saharan Africa but examines issues that may also warrant consideration in low- and lower-middle-income countries more generally. This SEI brief highlights findings from a review of the literature on financing of renewable-energy and clean-cooking interventions. It focuses on sub-Saharan Africa but examines issues that may also warrant consideration in low- and lower-middle-income countries more generally.

]]> Tue, 01 Apr 2025 10:30:14 +0000 Daniel Duma; Maximilian Bruder; Annika Hilgert https://www.sei.org/publications/clean-energy-sector-development-insights/ Publication Understanding public support for Moldova’s green transition: Insights from a new study by ACT Global and SEI https://www.sei.org/features/public-support-moldova-green-transition/ A new study by ACT Global and SEI offers key insights into public perceptions of Moldova’s green transition, providing valuable guidance for policymakers shaping environmental and energy policies. The research examines Moldovans’ views on climate change, environmental priorities, awareness, and willingness to engage in green initiatives. A new study by ACT Global and SEI offers key insights into public perceptions of Moldova’s green transition, providing valuable guidance for policymakers shaping environmental and energy policies. The research examines Moldovans’ views on climate change, environmental priorities, awareness, and willingness to engage in green initiatives.

]]> Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:56:12 +0000 Ilona Kazaryan https://www.sei.org/features/public-support-moldova-green-transition/ Feature SEI in Climate Home News: Finance for renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa is defying the odds https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/finance-renewable-energy-africa-defying-odds/ SEI experts Daniel Duma and Miquel Muñoz Cabré highlight the success story of renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa – against the odds – in this Climate Home News piece. SEI experts Daniel Duma and Miquel Muñoz Cabré highlight the success story of renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa – against the odds – in this Climate Home News piece.

]]> Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:30:38 +0000 Daniel Duma; Miquel Muñoz Cabré https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/finance-renewable-energy-africa-defying-odds/ Press Governança sem Fronteiras: Fortalecendo a Gestão de Águas Transfronteiriças na Bacia Trinacional do Rio Acre https://www.sei.org/projects/governanca-sem-fronteiras-fortalecendo-a-gestao-de-aguas-transfronteiricas-na-bacia-trinacional-do-rio-acre/ A Bacia Amazônica, o maior e mais biodiverso sistema fluvial do mundo, abrange nove países e desempenha um papel crucial no sustento dos ecossistemas, dos povos indígenas, das comunidades locais e na regulação climática global. Garantir a sustentabilidade ecológica, o uso equitativo dos recursos e a mitigação de conflitos requer uma ação coordenada e transfronteiriça. A Bacia Amazônica, o maior e mais biodiverso sistema fluvial do mundo, abrange nove países e desempenha um papel crucial no sustento dos ecossistemas, dos povos indígenas, das comunidades locais e na regulação climática global. Garantir a sustentabilidade ecológica, o uso equitativo dos recursos e a mitigação de conflitos requer uma ação coordenada e transfronteiriça.

]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2025 01:55:09 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/governanca-sem-fronteiras-fortalecendo-a-gestao-de-aguas-transfronteiricas-na-bacia-trinacional-do-rio-acre/ Project The Amazon beyond commodities https://www.sei.org/projects/the-amazon-beyond-commodities/ The Amazon beyond commodities project examines how value chains that draw from specific geographical origin and biocultural diversity can help promote transformative sustainable development, reversing ecosystem loss. It examines the emergency of Amazonian biocosmetics in Brazil and specialty coffees in Colombia to draw lessons for similar value chains in the tropics, in line with the increased attention to tropical forests due to COP 30 in the Amazon. The Amazon beyond commodities project examines how value chains that draw from specific geographical origin and biocultural diversity can help promote transformative sustainable development, reversing ecosystem loss. It examines the emergency of Amazonian biocosmetics in Brazil and specialty coffees in Colombia to draw lessons for similar value chains in the tropics, in line with the increased attention to tropical forests due to COP 30 in the Amazon.

]]> Thu, 10 Apr 2025 10:50:22 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/the-amazon-beyond-commodities/ Project Technical assistance for improved materials recovery from waste through separate collection, reuse and recycling based on circular economy principles https://www.sei.org/projects/technical-assistance-circular-economy-bih/ This project aims to support Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in advancing towards EU accession by aligning waste management practices with the European Green Deal and Circular Economy principles. This project aims to support Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in advancing towards EU accession by aligning waste management practices with the European Green Deal and Circular Economy principles.

]]> Wed, 07 May 2025 10:44:32 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/technical-assistance-circular-economy-bih/ Project A Amazônia para além das commodities https://www.sei.org/projects/a-amazonia-para-alem-das-commodities/ O projeto Amazônia para além das commodities examina como as cadeias de valor baseadas em diversidade biocultural e origens geográficas específicas podem ajudar a promover um desenvolvimento sustentável transformador, revertendo a perda de ecossistemas. Este projeto irá investigar como estudos de caso a promoção de biocosméticos amazônicos no Brasil e de cafés especiais na Colômbia. O projeto Amazônia para além das commodities examina como as cadeias de valor baseadas em diversidade biocultural e origens geográficas específicas podem ajudar a promover um desenvolvimento sustentável transformador, revertendo a perda de ecossistemas.

Este projeto irá investigar como estudos de caso a promoção de biocosméticos amazônicos no Brasil e de cafés especiais na Colômbia.

]]> Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:00:33 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/a-amazonia-para-alem-das-commodities/ Project Nairobi Ringdisaini Hub https://www.sei.org/projects/nairobi-ringdisaini-hub/ “Nairobi Ringdisaini Hub” keskendub ringdisainile ja kestliku moetööstuse arendamisele Keenias. Projekti eesmärk on luua Nairobisse ringdisaini keskus, et kaardistada ja väärindada tekstiilitootmise jääke, kasutades neid kohalikele disaineritele ja tudengitele mõeldud koolitusprogrammides. “Nairobi Ringdisaini Hub” keskendub ringdisainile ja kestliku moetööstuse arendamisele Keenias. Projekti eesmärk on luua Nairobisse ringdisaini keskus, et kaardistada ja väärindada tekstiilitootmise jääke, kasutades neid kohalikele disaineritele ja tudengitele mõeldud koolitusprogrammides.

]]> Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:36:38 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/nairobi-ringdisaini-hub/ Project Nairobi Circular Design Hub https://www.sei.org/projects/nairobi-circular-design-hub/ The “Nairobi Circular Design Hub” focuses on circular design and the development of a sustainable fashion industry in Kenya. The project will establish a circular design hub in Nairobi to map and repurpose textile production waste, integrating it into training programs for local designers and students. The “Nairobi Circular Design Hub” focuses on circular design and the development of a sustainable fashion industry in Kenya. The project will establish a circular design hub in Nairobi to map and repurpose textile production waste, integrating it into training programs for local designers and students.

]]> Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:36:55 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/nairobi-circular-design-hub/ Project Equity in medical devices: a socio-technical approach https://www.sei.org/publications/equity-in-medical-devices-a-socio-technical-approach/ Due to design biases and other social issues, medical devices can worsen health inequalities. In this paper, researchers used a glucose monitoring device as their study focal point and suggested creating a co-design approach that considers integrating technology in a way that is more equitable and just for all. Due to design biases and other social issues, medical devices can worsen health inequalities. In this paper, researchers used a glucose monitoring device as their study focal point and suggested creating a co-design approach that considers integrating technology in a way that is more equitable and just for all.

]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 15:36:38 +0000 Jon Ensor; Bobby Farnan; Steven Johnson https://www.sei.org/publications/equity-in-medical-devices-a-socio-technical-approach/ Publication Equitable technology development: a framework and methods for scientists and engineers https://www.sei.org/publications/equitable-technology-development-a-framework-and-methods-for-scientists-and-engineers/ The study highlights the need to change how scientists and engineers develop technology to ensure it is fair and considers both technical and social aspects. By combining ideas from science and technology studies with participatory development, the authors present a framework for better technology development. They show their findings through a case study of water monitoring technology created by scientists, engineers and local communities in Vanuatu. The study highlights the need to change how scientists and engineers develop technology to ensure it is fair and considers both technical and social aspects. By combining ideas from science and technology studies with participatory development, the authors present a framework for better technology development. They show their findings through a case study of water monitoring technology created by scientists, engineers and local communities in Vanuatu.

]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 14:51:19 +0000 Jon Ensor; Daniel Vorbach; Steven Johnson; James Moir https://www.sei.org/publications/equitable-technology-development-a-framework-and-methods-for-scientists-and-engineers/ Publication Co-development of technology for measuring faecal contamination of drinking water https://www.sei.org/publications/co-development-of-technology-for-measuring-faecal-contamination-of-drinking-water/ This study details a transdisciplinary project aimed at co-developing water quality monitoring technology in Vanuatu, focusing on the island of Efate. The research addressed the technology and user needs gap by engaging community members and stakeholders. The authors identified faecal contamination through water sample testing and developed a tailored device to detect Escherichia coli (E. coli) and other harmful germs. This study details a transdisciplinary project aimed at co-developing water quality monitoring technology in Vanuatu, focusing on the island of Efate. The research addressed the technology and user needs gap by engaging community members and stakeholders. The authors identified faecal contamination through water sample testing and developed a tailored device to detect Escherichia coli (E. coli) and other harmful germs.

]]> Mon, 31 Mar 2025 13:53:32 +0000 Jon Ensor; Daniel Vorbach; Eleni Koutsoumpeli; Rhys Ashton; David Hunter; Hannah Walker; Kaniz Chowdhury; James WB Moir; Steven Johnson https://www.sei.org/publications/co-development-of-technology-for-measuring-faecal-contamination-of-drinking-water/ Publication Driving climate resilience through the water-energy-food nexus in Kenya https://www.sei.org/features/driving-climate-resilience-through-the-water-energy-food-nexus-in-kenya/ SEI Africa and CETRAD shared insights from their water-energy-food nexus project in Kenya at a high-level UN workshop, highlighting how integrated approaches can support climate resilience and sustainable development in Africa. SEI Africa and CETRAD shared insights from their water-energy-food nexus project in Kenya at a high-level UN workshop, highlighting how integrated approaches can support climate resilience and sustainable development in Africa.

]]> Tue, 01 Apr 2025 05:34:18 +0000 Charity Waeni Mutisya https://www.sei.org/features/driving-climate-resilience-through-the-water-energy-food-nexus-in-kenya/ Feature Circ@Home – Ringmajanduse ja jagamiskultuuri kaudu säilenõtketest kodumajapidamistest kliimaneutraalsete linnadeni https://www.sei.org/projects/circhome-est/ Circ@Home projekti eesmärk on töötada välja ringsed lähenemised, mis sobituvad Läänemere piirkonna omavalitsuste ringmajanduse arendamise raamistikku ja keskenduvad elanike tarbimise ringsemaks muutmisele. Seda tehakse tihedas koostöös Läänemere riikide omavalitsuste ja teiste huvirühmadega. Circ@Home projekti eesmärk on töötada välja ringsed lähenemised, mis sobituvad Läänemere piirkonna omavalitsuste ringmajanduse arendamise raamistikku ja keskenduvad elanike tarbimise ringsemaks muutmisele. Seda tehakse tihedas koostöös Läänemere riikide omavalitsuste ja teiste huvirühmadega.

]]> Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:46:35 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/circhome-est/ Project International Day of Zero Waste 2025: Towards zero waste in fashion and textiles https://www.sei.org/events/international-day-of-zero-waste-2025/ Alliance of Nairobi Metropolitan Residents Association (ANMRA), in partnership with SEI and UNEP, will host a celebratory event to highlight the benefits of sustainable waste management for addressing environmental pollution and contributing to better air quality and sustainable urban living. In line with the 2025 theme, the event will also highlight the need to address textile waste management. Alliance of Nairobi Metropolitan Residents Association (ANMRA), in partnership with SEI and UNEP, will host a celebratory event to highlight the benefits of sustainable waste management for addressing environmental pollution and contributing to better air quality and sustainable urban living. In line with the 2025 theme, the event will also highlight the need to address textile waste management.

]]> Mon, 24 Mar 2025 08:08:42 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/international-day-of-zero-waste-2025/ Event Aceleración de los ODS a través de la diversidad: Plataforma Multiactor de Colombia https://www.sei.org/events/aceleracion-de-los-ods-plataforma-multiactor-de-colombia/ SEI participa en el Foro de los Países de América Latina y el Caribe sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible de la CEPAL. Como mecanismo regional para el seguimiento y examen de la implementación de los ODS, el espacio es clave para mostrar cómo la colaboración y la ciencia pueden impulsar la Agenda 2030. Los miembros de la Plataforma Multiactor de Colombia, de la cual SEI es miembro, comparten su experiencia en este foro para impulsar la acción multisectorial en los países de la región. SEI participa en el Foro de los Países de América Latina y el Caribe sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible de la CEPAL. Como mecanismo regional para el seguimiento y examen de la implementación de los ODS, el espacio es clave para mostrar cómo la colaboración y la ciencia pueden impulsar la Agenda 2030. 

Los miembros de la Plataforma Multiactor de Colombia, de la cual SEI es miembro, comparten su experiencia en este foro para impulsar la acción multisectorial en los países de la región.

]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2025 19:58:57 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/aceleracion-de-los-ods-plataforma-multiactor-de-colombia/ Event UKHSA 2025 conference: air pollution and healthcare https://www.sei.org/events/ukhsa2025_air_pollution_and_healthcare/ Sarah West shared insights from our research investigating indoor air quality in homes and schools as part of a panel on ‘Air pollution and healthcare: equipping professionals for action at the UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) conference in Manchester. Hertfordshire County Council shared a poster (see below) on our joint project evaluating the use of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air filter) units on air quality in primary schools. Sarah West shared insights from our research investigating indoor air quality in homes and schools as part of a panel on ‘Air pollution and healthcare: equipping professionals for action at the UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) conference in Manchester. Hertfordshire County Council shared a poster (see below) on our joint project evaluating the use of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air filter) units on air quality in primary schools. 

]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:33:47 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/ukhsa2025_air_pollution_and_healthcare/ Event Bioeconomy visions, strategies, policies, and governance across different world regions https://www.sei.org/publications/handbook-on-the-bioeconomy/ This chapter in the Handbook on the Bioeconomy explores how bioeconomy strategies, policies, and governance vary across regions, shaped by differing resource endowments, stakeholder visions, and sustainability challenges. This chapter in the Handbook on the Bioeconomy explores how bioeconomy strategies, policies, and governance vary across regions, shaped by differing resource endowments, stakeholder visions, and sustainability challenges.

]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:14:12 +0000 Francis X. Johnson; Stefan Bößner; Rocio A. Diaz-Chavez; Mairon G. Bastos Lima https://www.sei.org/publications/handbook-on-the-bioeconomy/ Publication Inkludering av renskötseln i vattenkraftens omprövning https://www.sei.org/publications/renskotseln-vattenkraftens-omprovning/ Den 1 januari 2019 infördes nya regler i Sverige med syfte att säkerställa moderna miljövillkor för vattenkraft genom omprövning av existerande tillstånd. Vattenkraft fragmenterar renens landskap vilket påverkat – och fortfarande påverkar – renskötseln och den samiska kulturen negativt. Den 1 januari 2019 infördes nya regler i Sverige med syfte att säkerställa moderna miljövillkor för vattenkraft genom omprövning av existerande tillstånd. Vattenkraft fragmenterar renens landskap vilket påverkat – och fortfarande påverkar – renskötseln och den samiska kulturen negativt.

]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:47:52 +0000 Katarina Inga; Rasmus Kløcker Larsen https://www.sei.org/publications/renskotseln-vattenkraftens-omprovning/ Publication Resilience in the palm of the hand https://www.sei.org/features/resilience-in-the-palm-of-the-hand/ SEI and partners in the Resilient Planet Initiative are working with residents of an informal settlement of Nairobi to co-develop and test a smartphone app to bring them into a worldwide climate adaptation information-exchange network tailored to their needs. The app aims to help residents find measures that can address climate change impacts in their communities, and to give them a way to share their own insights with other vulnerable urban areas. SEI and partners in the Resilient Planet Initiative are working with residents of an informal settlement of Nairobi to co-develop and test a smartphone app to bring them into a worldwide climate adaptation information-exchange network tailored to their needs. The app aims to help residents find measures that can address climate change impacts in their communities, and to give them a way to share their own insights with other  vulnerable urban areas.

]]> Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:13:30 +0000 Cynthia Wamukota https://www.sei.org/features/resilience-in-the-palm-of-the-hand/ Feature