SEI https://www.sei.org/ Bridging science and policy since 1989 Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:00:33 +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 The role of nature-based solutions in Southeast and South Asia to address the poly-crisis of biodiversity, climate and land degradation https://www.sei.org/events/nature-based-solutions-asia-biodiversity-climate-land-degradation/ From words to action is a new series of six interconnected events held by SEI’s global centres during fall 2024. SEI Asia’s event will delve into challenges and opportunities on nature-based solutions (NBS) and ecosystem services in wetlands in Asia. From words to action is a new series of six interconnected events held by SEI’s global centres during fall 2024. SEI Asia’s event will delve into challenges and opportunities on nature-based solutions (NBS) and ecosystem services in wetlands in Asia.

]]> Tue, 17 Sep 2024 07:28:51 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/nature-based-solutions-asia-biodiversity-climate-land-degradation/ Event Governing critical raw materials and the energy transition https://www.sei.org/events/governing-critical-raw-materials/ The transition to a low-carbon economy and the expansion of key technologies enabling it – electric vehicles, wind power and solar panels – has created a race for critical raw materials among industrialized countries. Intensified extraction in both higher and lower income countries carries significant implications for environmental and human rights protection. Finding the right governance tools to balance competing goals and demands is key to ensure sustainability. The transition to a low-carbon economy and the expansion of key technologies enabling it – electric vehicles, wind power and solar panels – has created a race for critical raw materials among industrialized countries. Intensified extraction in both higher and lower income countries carries significant implications for environmental and human rights protection. Finding the right governance tools to balance competing goals and demands is key to ensure sustainability.

]]> Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:35:36 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/governing-critical-raw-materials/ Event The view from New York: reflections from LeadIT at Climate Week NYC https://www.sei.org/features/reflections-from-leadit-at-climate-week-nyc/ Every year, Climate Week NYC unites key stakeholders from government, business and civil society, all committed to tackle the climate crisis. The theme for 2024 was “It’s Time,” reinforcing the need for urgent action. Over the course of eight days, there were more than 900 official events exploring the need to break down barriers to progress on global climate goals. The Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) co-hosted two events, participated in several others across the city, and ... Every year, Climate Week NYC unites key stakeholders from government, business and civil society, all committed to tackle the climate crisis. The theme for 2024 was “It’s Time,” reinforcing the need for urgent action. Over the course of eight days, there were more than 900 official events exploring the need to break down barriers to progress on global climate goals.

The Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) co-hosted two events, participated in several others across the city, and introduced a new member, the Swedish steel scale-up Stegra.

]]> Tue, 01 Oct 2024 20:01:36 +0000 Nadia Mondini; Per Andersson; Jane Birch https://www.sei.org/features/reflections-from-leadit-at-climate-week-nyc/ Feature SEI experts highlight the key topics to watch at biodiversity COP16 and climate COP29 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/sei-highlight-key-topics-at-biodiversity-cop16-climate-cop29/ On 10 October, Stockholm Environment Institute invites you to a press briefing where our leading experts will share their perspectives on the key issues set to dominate the upcoming Conferences of the Parties: the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia (21 October–1 November) and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan (11–22 November). On 10 October, Stockholm Environment Institute invites you to a press briefing where our leading experts will share their perspectives on the key issues set to dominate the upcoming Conferences of the Parties: the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia (21 October–1 November) and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan (11–22 November).

]]> Thu, 03 Oct 2024 04:30:00 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/sei-highlight-key-topics-at-biodiversity-cop16-climate-cop29/ Press SEI:s experter lyfter fram nyckelfrågor inför partskonferenserna om biologisk mångfald och klimat https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/sei-lyfter-nyckelfragor-infor-cop16-cop29/ Den 10 oktober bjuder Stockholm Environment Institute in till en pressträff där våra experter lyfter sina perspektiv på de viktigaste frågorna för FN:s partskonferens om biologisk mångfald (COP16) i Cali, Colombia (21 oktober–1 november) och FN:s klimatkonferens (COP29) i Baku, Azerbajdzjan (11–22 november). Den 10 oktober bjuder Stockholm Environment Institute in till en pressträff där våra experter lyfter sina perspektiv på de viktigaste frågorna för FN:s partskonferens om biologisk mångfald (COP16) i Cali, Colombia (21 oktober–1 november) och FN:s klimatkonferens (COP29) i Baku, Azerbajdzjan (11–22 november).

]]> Thu, 03 Oct 2024 10:45:00 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/sei-lyfter-nyckelfragor-infor-cop16-cop29/ Press Moldova and the European Green Deal: overcoming challenges, seizing opportunities and empowering local actors https://www.sei.org/features/moldova-green-deal-grigaraviciene/ In this opinion piece, Justina Grigaraviciene, a High-Level Adviser on Environment and Green Transition within the EU High-Level Advisers’ mission to Moldova, discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with aligning Moldova with the European Green Deal, emphasizing the need to empower local actors as leaders in these processes. In this opinion piece, Justina Grigaraviciene, a High-Level Adviser on Environment and Green Transition within the EU High-Level Advisers’ mission to Moldova, discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with aligning Moldova with the European Green Deal, emphasizing the need to empower local actors as leaders in these processes.

]]> Wed, 02 Oct 2024 13:04:30 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/moldova-green-deal-grigaraviciene/ Feature Sinergias entre la conservación de la biodiversidad, la acción por el clima y el desarrollo sostenible: perspectivas para la COP16 https://www.sei.org/events/sinergias-conservacion-biodiversidad-accion-climatica-cop16/ From words to action es una nueva serie de seis eventos interconectados organizados por los centros globales de SEI durante el otoño de 2024. El evento de SEI América Latina se centrará en cómo la COP16 en Colombia puede fomentar las sinergias entre la conservación de la biodiversidad y la acción climática, especialmente en las transiciones económicas de la región amazónica. From words to action es una nueva serie de seis eventos interconectados organizados por los centros globales de SEI durante el otoño de 2024. El evento de SEI América Latina se centrará en cómo la COP16 en Colombia puede fomentar las sinergias entre la conservación de la biodiversidad y la acción climática, especialmente en las transiciones económicas de la región amazónica.

]]> Wed, 25 Sep 2024 21:06:27 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/sinergias-conservacion-biodiversidad-accion-climatica-cop16/ Event Mekong Environmental Resilience Week 2024: forging partnerships for a climate-resilient Mekong subregion https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/forging-partnerships-for-a-climate-resilient-mekong-subregion/ The Mekong Environmental Resilience Week 2024 will bring together leading voices in research, policy and development to shape the future of the Mekong subregion in the face of growing climate challenges. The Mekong Environmental Resilience Week 2024 will bring together leading voices in research, policy and development to shape the future of the Mekong subregion in the face of growing climate challenges.

]]> Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/forging-partnerships-for-a-climate-resilient-mekong-subregion/ Press WICER: Water innovation for circularity and enhanced resilience https://www.sei.org/projects/wicer-water-innovation-for-circularity-and-enhanced-resilience/ Iraq faces severe water security challenges exacerbated by climate change, prolonged conflict, and environmental degradation. The WICER project aimed to enhance Iraq’s resilience to water scarcity and climate change by innovatively managing water resources and promoting circularity. The project engaged local stakeholders to develop solutions and build capacity for resilient water planning, urban sanitation and resource recovery businesses, and rural circularity practices. Iraq faces severe water security challenges exacerbated by climate change, prolonged conflict, and environmental degradation. The WICER project aimed to enhance Iraq’s resilience to water scarcity and climate change by innovatively managing water resources and promoting circularity. The project engaged local stakeholders to develop solutions and build capacity for resilient water planning, urban sanitation and resource recovery businesses, and rural circularity practices. 

]]> Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:35:06 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/wicer-water-innovation-for-circularity-and-enhanced-resilience/ Project Smart Cities Business Innovation Fund 2.0 https://www.sei.org/projects/smart-cities-business-innovation-fund-2-0/ The Fund will address critical financing gaps at the sub-national level, accelerate climate action in support of urban sustainability and reinforce countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions. The Fund will address critical financing gaps at the sub-national level, accelerate climate action in support of urban sustainability and reinforce countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions. 

]]> Fri, 22 Nov 2024 04:36:25 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/smart-cities-business-innovation-fund-2-0/ Project Evaluating Bangkok’s Pocket Parks https://www.sei.org/projects/evaluating-bangkoks-pocket-parks/ Urban green spaces are vital for public health, yet they often receive less investment than built grey infrastructure. This project helped evaluate Bangkok’s pocket parks, exploring their role in improving social determinants of health. By collaborating with local communities and policymakers, the project provides evidence-based recommendations for equitable park design and sustainable urban planning. Urban green spaces are vital for public health, yet they often receive less investment than built grey infrastructure. This project helped evaluate Bangkok’s pocket parks, exploring their role in improving social determinants of health. By collaborating with local communities and policymakers, the project provides evidence-based recommendations for equitable park design and sustainable urban planning.

]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:16:46 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/evaluating-bangkoks-pocket-parks/ Project Defining and measuring active distribution system operators for the electricity and natural gas sectors https://www.sei.org/publications/distribution-system-operators/ The roles of Distribution System Operators (DSOs) due to increasing penetration of variable renewable sources, additional electrification of consumption, gas decarbonization, decentralization, and energy storage.The active DSO facilitates new processes, technologies and business models required for system decarbonization.Measuring the extent to which the DSO is active will enable policymakers and regulators to evaluate the current and future role of DSOs.The dimensions for measuring the activ... The roles of Distribution System Operators (DSOs) due to increasing penetration of variable renewable sources, additional electrification of consumption, gas decarbonization, decentralization, and energy storage.

The active DSO facilitates new processes, technologies and business models required for system decarbonization.

Measuring the extent to which the DSO is active will enable policymakers and regulators to evaluate the current and future role of DSOs.

The dimensions for measuring the active DSO are transport, heating, flexibility and Distributed Energy Resources (DER) integration, adaptive indicative planning, and innovation.

Based on limited data, the United Kingdom electricity DSOs are most active on flexibility and DER integration , while gas DSOs are most active on the decarbonization of heating.

]]> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:48:49 +0000 Daniel Duma https://www.sei.org/publications/distribution-system-operators/ Publication Bioeconomy and local value-chain development as a hedge against deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado https://www.sei.org/publications/bioeconomy-deforestation-brazils/ This book chapter explores the potential of the world’s most biodiverse savanna to contribute significantly to the bioeconomy. The region’s abundant resources, coupled with the invaluable knowledge and sustainable practices of local communities deeply connected to the land, present a unique opportunity for the development of a sustainable and culturally-informed bioeconomy. This book chapter explores the potential of the world’s most biodiverse savanna to contribute significantly to the bioeconomy. The region’s abundant resources, coupled with the invaluable knowledge and sustainable practices of local communities deeply connected to the land, present a unique opportunity for the development of a sustainable and culturally-informed bioeconomy.

]]> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 12:30:39 +0000 Mairon G. Bastos Lima https://www.sei.org/publications/bioeconomy-deforestation-brazils/ Publication Urban green spaces in rapidly urbanizing cities: a socio-economic valuation of Nairobi City, Kenya https://www.sei.org/publications/urban-green-spaces-valuation-nairobi-kenya/ SEI Africa researchers Alphayo I. Lutta, Philip Osano and Romanus Opiyo published a journal article that offers critical insights into the use, perception and socio-economic dynamics of urban green spaces. Their findings provide valuable lessons relevant to urban areas worldwide. SEI Africa researchers Alphayo I. Lutta, Philip Osano and Romanus Opiyo published a journal article that offers critical insights into the use, perception and socio-economic dynamics of urban green spaces. Their findings provide valuable lessons relevant to urban areas worldwide.

]]> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 08:25:49 +0000 Alphayo Lutta; Philip Osano; Romanus Opiyo; Peter Odhengo https://www.sei.org/publications/urban-green-spaces-valuation-nairobi-kenya/ Publication Weathering the storm: protecting the human rights of older persons in a changing climate https://www.sei.org/publications/human-rights-older-persons-climate-change/ Climate change impacts upon the lives and well-being of older people in uniquely pressing ways, and numerous factors influence vulnerability to climate hazards. This paper demonstrates the need to prioritize the rights of older people in climate action decision-making, while also showing that older people can play a fundamental role in action for a sustainable future. Climate change impacts upon the lives and well-being of older people in uniquely pressing ways, and numerous factors influence vulnerability to climate hazards. This paper demonstrates the need to prioritize the rights of older people in climate action decision-making, while also showing that older people can play a fundamental role in action for a sustainable future.

]]> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 06:00:38 +0000 Gary Haq https://www.sei.org/publications/human-rights-older-persons-climate-change/ Publication Engaging older people for climate-resilient communities https://www.sei.org/features/older-people-climate-resilient-communities/ Tuesday 1 October marks the UN’s International Day of Older Persons, a day which raises awareness of the opportunities and challenges faced by ageing populations. We spoke to SEI expert Gary Haq, who responds to the occasion from the perspective of his research: how climate change and extreme weather currently impact, and will continue to impact, a globally ageing population. Tuesday 1 October marks the UN’s International Day of Older Persons, a day which raises awareness of the opportunities and challenges faced by ageing populations.

We spoke to SEI expert Gary Haq, who responds to the occasion from the perspective of his research: how climate change and extreme weather currently impact, and will continue to impact, a globally ageing population.

]]> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:00:16 +0000 Anjali Vyas-Brannick; Gary Haq https://www.sei.org/features/older-people-climate-resilient-communities/ Feature Brackets of power: the fight for environmental justice in Southeast Asia https://www.sei.org/perspectives/brackets-of-power-environmental-justice-sea/ As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) develops Southeast Asia’s first regional instrument on human rights and the environment, seemingly simple symbols like brackets represent complex power dynamics and debates over environmental justice, including who will be safe or vulnerable. As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) develops Southeast Asia’s first regional instrument on human rights and the environment, seemingly simple symbols like brackets represent complex power dynamics and debates over environmental justice, including who will be safe or vulnerable.

]]> Mon, 30 Sep 2024 10:02:51 +0000 Minh Tran https://www.sei.org/perspectives/brackets-of-power-environmental-justice-sea/ Perspective Why we need to talk about older people and climate change in Africa https://www.sei.org/perspectives/older-people-climate-change-africa/ In this op-ed published by The Conversation, Gary Haq shares key issues from Africa which have been raised in the Global Ageing and Climate Change Regional Dialogues series, organized in collaboration with HelpAge International. In this op-ed published by The Conversation, Gary Haq shares key issues from Africa which have been raised in the Global Ageing and Climate Change Regional Dialogues series, organized in collaboration with HelpAge International.

]]> Tue, 01 Oct 2024 08:08:36 +0000 Gary Haq https://www.sei.org/perspectives/older-people-climate-change-africa/ Perspective SEI at Climate Week NYC 2024 https://www.sei.org/events/sei-climate-week-nyc-2024/ Hosted by the Climate Group, an international non-profit committed to advancing climate action, Climate Week NYC unites key stakeholders from government, business, and civil society to tackle the climate crisis. The theme for 2024, “It’s Time,” underscores the urgent need for climate action and breaking down barriers to progress. Simultaneously, the UN Summit of the Future is taking place in New York from 20-23 September, along with the UN Science Summit spanning 10-27 September 2024. Hosted by the  Climate Group, an international non-profit committed to advancing climate action, Climate Week NYC unites key stakeholders from government, business, and civil society to tackle the climate crisis. The theme for 2024, “It’s Time,” underscores the urgent need for climate action and breaking down barriers to progress.

Simultaneously, the UN Summit of the Future is taking place in New York from 20-23 September, along with the  UN Science Summit spanning 10-27 September 2024.

]]> Mon, 16 Sep 2024 14:03:18 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/sei-climate-week-nyc-2024/ Event From gray to green: finding common cause for people and planet https://www.sei.org/events/gray-green-common-cause-people-planet/ Join experts from SEI US at this virtual New York Climate Week event, recorded 27 September 2024, exploring how to develop solutions for both climate and biodiversity using on-the-ground research and experience. This event is part of SEI’s six-part series, From words to action: implementing biodiversity and climate strategies for resilient societies. Join experts from SEI US at this virtual New York Climate Week event, recorded 27 September 2024, exploring how to develop solutions for both climate and biodiversity using on-the-ground research and experience.

This event is part of SEI’s six-part series, From words to action: implementing biodiversity and climate strategies for resilient societies.

]]> Fri, 13 Sep 2024 19:27:12 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/gray-green-common-cause-people-planet/ Event