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 Smallholder agriculture and agrarian livelihoods https://www.sei.org/publications/smallholder-agriculture-and-agrarian-livelihoods/ This chapter from The Handbook of African Economic Development discusses the role of smallholder farmers in development, examining policies that improve productivity and commercialization but increase inequality in land ownership. This chapter from The Handbook of African Economic Development discusses the role of smallholder farmers in development, examining policies that improve productivity and commercialization but increase inequality in land ownership.

]]> Fri, 23 Aug 2024 16:15:57 +0000 Selorm Kugbega https://www.sei.org/publications/smallholder-agriculture-and-agrarian-livelihoods/ Publication Developing the Africa Clean Air Program https://www.sei.org/events/african-union-partners-meeting-developing-the-africa-air-quality-program/ The African Union Commission, along with supporting partners, UNEP, CCAC, SEI, and others, will convene a planning meeting for the Africa Clean Air Program (ACAP) as a side event of the 12th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XII) in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. The African Union Commission, along with supporting partners, UNEP, CCAC, SEI, and others, will convene a planning meeting for the Africa Clean Air Program (ACAP) as a side event of the 12th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XII) in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

]]> Thu, 22 Aug 2024 14:24:16 +0000 https://www.sei.org/events/african-union-partners-meeting-developing-the-africa-air-quality-program/ Event Artificial intelligence for sustainability https://www.sei.org/publications/artificial-intelligence-for-sustainability/ This perspective article examines the opportunities and risks of combined artificial intelligence and Earth observation technologies, focusing on their application in forestry. This perspective article examines the opportunities and risks of combined artificial intelligence and Earth observation technologies, focusing on their application in forestry.

]]> Thu, 22 Aug 2024 12:32:58 +0000 Matthew Fielding; Julia Barrott; Amar Čaušević https://www.sei.org/publications/artificial-intelligence-for-sustainability/ Publication Challenges and opportunities for upgrading the avocado value chain in East Africa https://www.sei.org/publications/avocado-value-chain-east-africa/ The avocado value chain in East Africa plays a key role in driving economic growth, rural development, and foreign exchange earnings.A growing emphasis on and need for sustainability has led to a re-evaluation of avocado value chains in the region and a shift towards adopting sustainable practices.Sustainability in the avocado value chain offers the potential to not only conserve the environment but also enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, facilitate market entry, and uphold the i... The avocado value chain in East Africa plays a key role in driving economic growth, rural development, and foreign exchange earnings.

A growing emphasis on and need for sustainability has led to a re-evaluation of avocado value chains in the region and a shift towards adopting sustainable practices.

Sustainability in the avocado value chain offers the potential to not only conserve the environment but also enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, facilitate market entry, and uphold the integrity of avocado products in the context of global trade.

Increased access to affordable finance, training and capacity building for climate-smart avocado farming, and development of market-focused policy can help smallholder farmers and producers overcome barriers to sustainable transitions.

]]> Thu, 22 Aug 2024 06:52:35 +0000 Alphayo Lutta; Anderson Kehbila; Cynthia Sitati; Timothy Suljada; Philip Osano; Elizabeth Majani Sunguti https://www.sei.org/publications/avocado-value-chain-east-africa/ Publication Citizen science and its potential for aiding low carbon energy transitions https://www.sei.org/publications/citizen-science-low-carbon-energy-transitions/ Though citizen science has made vital contributions to environmental research, its potential for research into low carbon energy transitions has yet to be fully explored. In this study, the authors reviewed citizen science projects relating to energy transitions to explore their approaches, methodologies, activities, and challenges. They found that citizen science has been used to address energy transition challenges in diverse ways. Though citizen science has made vital contributions to environmental research, its potential for research into low carbon energy transitions has yet to be fully explored. In this study, the authors reviewed citizen science projects relating to energy transitions to explore their approaches, methodologies, activities, and challenges. They found that citizen science has been used to address energy transition challenges in diverse ways.

]]> Wed, 21 Aug 2024 07:00:57 +0000 Luke Gooding; Rachel Pateman; Sarah West https://www.sei.org/publications/citizen-science-low-carbon-energy-transitions/ Publication weADAPT spotlights youth and intergenerational justice https://www.sei.org/features/weadapt-spotlights-youth-and-intergenerational-justice/ The new Youth and Intergenerational Climate Justice theme is a dedicated space that showcases and supports young people’s climate adaptation work through weADAPT, SEI’s pioneering, collaborative adaptation platform. The theme features information on key, related issues, and provides links to opportunities such as courses, events, fellowships and funding. The new Youth and Intergenerational Climate Justice theme is a dedicated space that showcases and supports young people’s climate adaptation work through weADAPT, SEI’s pioneering, collaborative adaptation platform. The theme features information on key, related issues, and provides links to opportunities such as courses, events, fellowships and funding.

]]> Fri, 16 Aug 2024 07:22:06 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/weadapt-spotlights-youth-and-intergenerational-justice/ Feature Regulatory learning in the face of net zero climate policy: the case of the UK https://www.sei.org/publications/regulatory-learning-net-zero-uk/ This paper examines how UK energy network regulation can be adapted to address the uncertainties posed by net zero climate policy, drawing on lessons from other regulatory sectors and stakeholder consultations. This paper examines how UK energy network regulation can be adapted to address the uncertainties posed by net zero climate policy, drawing on lessons from other regulatory sectors and stakeholder consultations.

]]> Wed, 14 Aug 2024 11:24:22 +0000 Daniel Duma https://www.sei.org/publications/regulatory-learning-net-zero-uk/ Publication Using creative methods for public health messaging https://www.sei.org/publications/creative-methods-for-public-health-messaging/ This report provides an overview of Action Against Covid-19 Transmission in Nairobi (ACT Nairobi), a community-based, participatory public health project in an informal settlement of the city. The project sought to leverage citizen science and creative forms of expression to help combat misinformation about Covid-19, and encourage residents to take feasible steps to help reduce the spread of the virus. This report provides an overview of Action Against Covid-19 Transmission in Nairobi (ACT Nairobi), a community-based, participatory public health project in an informal settlement of the city. The project sought to leverage citizen science and creative forms of expression to help combat misinformation about Covid-19, and encourage residents to take feasible steps to help reduce the spread of the virus.

]]> Wed, 14 Aug 2024 10:33:06 +0000 Sarah West; Cressida Bowyer; Sophia Collins; Cindy M. Gray; Erika Hughes; Cynthia Kairu; Miranda Loh; Louis Netter; Matt Smith; Melaneia Warwick https://www.sei.org/publications/creative-methods-for-public-health-messaging/ Publication Towards a feminist political ecology of migration in a changing climate https://www.sei.org/publications/feminist-political-ecology-migration-climate/ This paper highlights how a feminist political ecology approach can help unpack the power differentials that shape climate and migration interactions. This paper highlights how a feminist political ecology approach can help unpack the power differentials that shape climate and migration interactions.

]]> Wed, 14 Aug 2024 06:36:10 +0000 Sara Vigil https://www.sei.org/publications/feminist-political-ecology-migration-climate/ Publication Uganda takes bold steps to combat air pollution and climate change https://www.sei.org/features/uganda-takes-bold-steps-to-combat-air-pollution-and-climate-change/ In Uganda, a collaboration between the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition aims to combat severe air quality issues that cause over 28 000 annual deaths. This initiative includes developing strategies for short-lived climate pollutants and methane reduction, supported by an SEI workshop to strengthen planning and mitigation efforts. In Uganda, a collaboration between the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition aims to combat severe air quality issues that cause over 28 000 annual deaths. This initiative includes developing strategies for short-lived climate pollutants and methane reduction, supported by an SEI workshop to strengthen planning and mitigation efforts.

]]> Tue, 13 Aug 2024 10:53:52 +0000 Connie O'Neill; Caroline Sawe https://www.sei.org/features/uganda-takes-bold-steps-to-combat-air-pollution-and-climate-change/ Feature Ecological Citizen(s) Network+ announces recipients of first funding round https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/ecological-citizens-network-funding-announcement/ Seven innovative projects are awarded funding by the Ecological Citizen(s) Network+ to explore “Ecological Citizenship” under the theme of Materials and Resources. Seven innovative projects are awarded funding by the Ecological Citizen(s) Network+ to explore “Ecological Citizenship” under the theme of Materials and Resources.

]]> Tue, 13 Aug 2024 13:21:26 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/ecological-citizens-network-funding-announcement/ Press Q&A: Greening Moldova’s economy, from EU standards to local implementation https://www.sei.org/features/greening-moldova-economy-arpintin/ In this Q&A, Veronica Arpintin, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization in Moldova, discusses the benefits of a green economic transition to meet EU accession requirements in Moldova, as well as the necessary collaborations between government and private businesses to bring about these changes. In this Q&A, Veronica Arpintin, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization in Moldova, discusses the benefits of a green economic transition to meet EU accession requirements in Moldova, as well as the necessary collaborations between government and private businesses to bring about these changes.

]]> Fri, 09 Aug 2024 10:54:57 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/greening-moldova-economy-arpintin/ Feature Harnessing the sun for agriculture: pathways to the successful expansion of agrivoltaic systems in East Africa https://www.sei.org/publications/sun-agriculture-agrivoltaic-systems-east-africa/ Research on agrivoltaic systems (AVS) has focused on their technical efficacy rather than the social dimensions of their installation and usage. In this study, researchers worked with participants in East Africa who had installed AVS on their farms to better understand their experiences with the technology. They also sought to identify factors that could widen AVS adoption in the region. Research on agrivoltaic systems (AVS) has focused on their technical efficacy rather than the social dimensions of their installation and usage. In this study, researchers worked with participants in East Africa who had installed AVS on their farms to better understand their experiences with the technology. They also sought to identify factors that could widen AVS adoption in the region.

]]> Thu, 08 Aug 2024 12:26:11 +0000 Steve Cinderby; Cassilde Muhoza https://www.sei.org/publications/sun-agriculture-agrivoltaic-systems-east-africa/ Publication Mapping CGIAR adaptation activities to benefits https://www.sei.org/projects/mapping-cgiar-adaptation-activities-benefits/ This project used a Large Language Model and an adaptation benefits framework co-developed by SEI US Centre Director Ed Carr to gather preliminary lessons on what adaptation actions from a 10-year period of CGIAR‘s work proved most effective. This project used a Large Language Model and an adaptation benefits framework co-developed by SEI US Centre Director Ed Carr to gather preliminary lessons on what adaptation actions from a 10-year period of CGIAR‘s work proved most effective.

]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2026 21:52:43 +0000 https://www.sei.org/projects/mapping-cgiar-adaptation-activities-benefits/ Project Co-designing in Tandem: case study journeys to inspire and guide climate services https://www.sei.org/publications/co-designing-in-tandem/ This study tests, empirically validates and refines the Tandem framework for co-designing climate services to enhance its applicability and effectiveness. This study tests, empirically validates and refines the Tandem framework for co-designing climate services to enhance its applicability and effectiveness.

]]> Wed, 07 Aug 2024 02:56:55 +0000 Sukaina Bharwani; Åsa Gerger Swartling; Karin André; Tania Santos; Albert Salamanca; Natalia Biskupska; Takeshi Takama; Linn Järnberg; Angela Liu https://www.sei.org/publications/co-designing-in-tandem/ Publication Barriers and enablers to decarbonising UK manufacturing: views of technical experts and trade organisations https://www.sei.org/publications/barriers-enablers-decarbonising-uk-manufacturing-report/ If the UK is to meet net-zero targets, there has to be a unified approach to improving reduction and reuse of resources in the UK’s foundation industries and their supply chains. The Transforming Foundation Industries Research and Innovation Hub (TransFIRe) explores how these changes can be made whilst working with communities in which foundation industries are located. If the UK is to meet net-zero targets, there has to be a unified approach to improving reduction and reuse of resources in the UK’s foundation industries and their supply chains. The Transforming Foundation Industries Research and Innovation Hub (TransFIRe) explores how these changes can be made whilst working with communities in which foundation industries are located.

]]> Tue, 06 Aug 2024 09:28:15 +0000 Steve Cinderby; Jean McKendree https://www.sei.org/publications/barriers-enablers-decarbonising-uk-manufacturing-report/ Publication Armenia’s green economy challenges and opportunities on the path to climate neutrality https://www.sei.org/features/armenia-green-economy-opportunities/ Armenia’s path to meet the EU goal of climate neutrality by 2050 presents a series of unique challenges and opportunities for the country, particularly related to green economy. In this feature, Alen Amirkhanian discusses some of the social, economic and governmental impacts of a shift towards green economy in Armenia. Armenia’s path to meet the EU goal of climate neutrality by 2050 presents a series of unique challenges and opportunities for the country, particularly related to green economy. In this feature, Alen Amirkhanian discusses some of the social, economic and governmental impacts of a shift towards green economy in Armenia.

]]> Fri, 02 Aug 2024 11:44:43 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/armenia-green-economy-opportunities/ Feature Air quality sensors installed at Kenya Meteorological Department to monitor air pollution https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/air-quality-sensors-installed-at-kenya-meteorological-department-to-monitor-air-pollution/ To address the critical gap in air quality data in Africa, the Kenya Meteorological Department, in partnership with SEI Africa and the United Nations Environment Programme, is deploying air quality sensors around Nairobi to enhance research on pollutants and their impact on climate change. To address the critical gap in air quality data in Africa, the Kenya Meteorological Department, in partnership with SEI Africa and the United Nations Environment Programme, is deploying air quality sensors around Nairobi to enhance research on pollutants and their impact on climate change.

]]> Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:46:16 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/air-quality-sensors-installed-at-kenya-meteorological-department-to-monitor-air-pollution/ Press Kenya Meteorological Department begins analysis of air pollution after sensor installed https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/kenya-meteorological-department-begins-analysis-of-air-pollution-after-sensor-installed/ The Kenya Meteorological Department has installed one sensor in Nairobi with nine additional sensors to be installed in other locations within the city and its environs. The data generated from these sensors will contribute to a better understanding of climate change induced by air pollution and help Kenyans decide where to settle in Nairobi, if air quality is a consideration. The Kenya Meteorological Department has installed one sensor in Nairobi with nine additional sensors to be installed in other locations within the city and its environs. The data generated from these sensors  will contribute to a better understanding of climate change induced by air pollution and help Kenyans decide where to settle in Nairobi, if air quality is a consideration.

 

]]> Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:46:08 +0000 https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/kenya-meteorological-department-begins-analysis-of-air-pollution-after-sensor-installed/ Press Balancing act: applying the Water-Energy-Food Nexus to promote ecosystem-based adaptation in the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment, Kenya https://www.sei.org/features/balancing-act-applying-the-water-energy-food-nexus-to-promote-ecosystem-based-adaptation-in-the-ewaso-ngiro-north-catchment-kenya/ As part of the project Navigating the Water-Energy-Food Nexus for ecosystem-based adaptation in the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment, Kenya, the SEI project team and partners visited the Ewaso Ng’iro River and its surrounding areas to gain deeper insights into the region and its needs. As part of the project Navigating the Water-Energy-Food Nexus for ecosystem-based adaptation in the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment, Kenya, the SEI project team and partners visited the Ewaso Ng’iro River and its surrounding areas to gain deeper insights into the region and its needs.

]]> Thu, 01 Aug 2024 05:29:34 +0000 https://www.sei.org/features/balancing-act-applying-the-water-energy-food-nexus-to-promote-ecosystem-based-adaptation-in-the-ewaso-ngiro-north-catchment-kenya/ Feature