Cities

More than 65% of the world's population are projected to live in urban areas by 2050, with major implications resource use, energy, water and sanitation, and health and well-being. At the same time urbanization can bring benefits, especially efficiency gains. SEI examines these challenges in the round to advance sustainable urbanization.

A close-up photo of a colourful informational board in Swedish, with a green card prominently displaying the text “Jag provar vegetarisk kost” (I try a vegetarian diet), followed by “12 min / person / år” (12 minutes per person per year). Smaller adjacent cards mention actions like giving second-hand gifts and increasing clothing lifespan.

Mainstreaming sustainable living: lessons from the SCORAI Europe 2025 Conference

Feature / From Malmö to Avesta, SEI voices from SCORAI 2025 highlight how context and community can shape real sustainability transitions.

13 May 2025 / About Behaviour and choice, Cities, Planning and modelling, Public policy and Sustainable lifestyles

As Thailand chokes on smog, these citizens wrote the law to fix it

Media coverage / SEI Asia's Diane Archer shares insights with HaRDstories about the Clean Air Bill in Thailand.

12 May 2025 / About Cities, Pollution and Short lived climate pollutants

Group of people smiling as they walk across a zebra crossing near buses and market stalls in a public transport terminal in Medan, Indonesia.

Terminal Binjai: transport hub transformed by community-led design

Feature / SEI’s project transformed a transit hub in Indonesia through community design, offering a replicable model for inclusive urban renewal.

24 April 2025 / About Adaptation, Cities, Innovation, Participation and Transport

Towards zero waste in fashion in Kenya: insights from Nairobi workshop on sustainable fashion and textiles

Feature / The fashion and textile industry is one of the largest contributors to global waste and pollution.

15 April 2025 / About Cities, Short lived climate pollutants and Transport

Engagement around risk, informality and nature-based solutions in Nakuru, Kenya

Journal article / This study explores at risks in informal settlements from hazards and inequalities, highlighting the potential of nature-based solutions for equitable planning.

4 April 2025 / About Adaptation, Cities, Disaster risk and Wellbeing

Two men stand together outdoors. One is making notes on a red clipboard, the other is reading out information to him from a small data-collection device.

Co-created citizen science creates space for dialogue around environmental challenges faced by urban residents in the global south

Journal article / Reflecting on projects conducted in Kenya and Thailand, researchers have produced a six-step methodology to support others using citizen science approaches.

2 April 2025 / About Cities, Climate policy, Participation and Wellbeing

International Day of Zero Waste 2025: Towards zero waste in fashion and textiles

Past event / SEI, UNEP and ANMRA will host a celebratory event to highlight the benefits of sustainable waste management for addressing environmental pollution.

29 March 2025 / About Cities, Pollution and Wellbeing

A lush green forest with tall, slender trees and a dense carpet of small white flowers covering the forest floor. Sunlight filters through the bright green leaves, creating a peaceful and vibrant natural scene.

Why protecting forests is essential for food, climate and wellbeing

Feature / This International Day of Forests, SEI shares four insights into how forests support food security, climate resilience and sustainable cities.

21 March 2025 / About Cities, Ecosystems and Supply chains

Aerial view of The Circle Bridge, a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, spanning over the Christianshavn Canal on a sunny day in Copenhagen, Denmark.

ChemClimCircle-2: Fostering implementation of the ChemClimCircle approach to Green Public Procurement in the Baltic Sea Region

Project / The project focuses on transforming public procurement by integrating climate protection, circular economy and chemical reduction principles.

2025 - 2028 / About Behaviour and choice, Cities, Mitigation and Public policy