SEI research explores the interconnections and synergies between human health and environmental sustainability, in a range of contexts from households, to disasters to urban systems.
More than 65% of the world's population are projected to live in cities 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.
Journal article / For human health and environmental quality, planning for "invisible" environmental functions is just as important as including "visible" environmental features.
SEI’s work sheds light on major ethical issues in climate services, examines key challenges, and offers new analytical frameworks centred on climate services and health.
Media advisory / SEI Asia will host an event 3 October on the role of nature-based solutions in Southeast and South Asia to address biodiversity, climate and land degradation.
Our research recognizes that disaster risk and development are closely linked: it is development processes that largely determine who and what is exposed to risk as well how much, and how effectively they can respond. SEI works to integrate disaster risk reduction with equitable, sustainable and resilient development.
SEI working paper / The authors provide an overview of the socio-economic impacts and displacement outcomes on the informal settlement of Kihoto, Kenya, post-flooding.
How can we meet the nutritional needs and expectations of a growing world population? And how do we do it without compromising long-term sustainability? SEI research explores the transition to sustainable food and agricultural systems.
Perspective / SEI's Cleo Verkuijl calls for a comprehensive approach to food system reform that supports climate, public health, animal welfare and ecosystems all at once.
Around 2.4 billion people use biomass fuels – wood, charcoal and animal dung – for their domestic energy needs. These are typically burned in inefficient stoves or on open fires, with serious consequences for health and the environment. SEI identifies and designs actions to help households transition to cleaner technologies and energy sources.
Other publication / A Comment in Nature Food details the shortfalls in the FAO's food systems roadmap to eliminate hunger without breaching the 1.5°C climate change threshold.
Pollution from human activity threatens both human health and vital ecosystems. SEI looks at issues of air pollution from household up to global levels, for example how pollution links to climate mitigation, urbanization and public health, and the potential role of citizen science in pollution monitoring.
Perspective / SEI's Charlotte Wagner and Jonathan Green highlight an overlooked issue at the 2024 High-Level Political Forum: pollution's impact on small fisheries.
Building on a long legacy of pioneering work, SEI explores ways to provide equitable, universal access to hygiene and sanitation, with a focus on systems that offer multiple benefits in terms of health, environmental sustainability, livelihoods and food security.
Perspective / From sanitation to food systems, improved Nationally Determined Contributions can unlock untapped climate action, say SEI experts.
Well-being is increasingly recognized as a major sustainability challenge. SEI applies innovative methods to measure the well-being effects of green space, urban design and other factors.
Other publication / SEI researchers contributed to a report on potential sustainability and climate impacts of digitalization of health care in the Nordic welfare sector.
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