News

Get the details about SEI's activities and impact in 2023. York features as the Centre in Focus.

For the first time, York is joining this international event, which encourages people to record wildlife in their own cities. Discover how you can get involved.

'Going back to a peaty future: past peat losses, present restoration options and future peat gains – identifying and overcoming stressors to peat formation'. Supervised by Dr Andreas Heinemeyer. NERC funded.

This knowledge-sharing event looks at indoor air quality beyond the social housing sector, including privately rented and owner-occupied houses in the UK.

For the academic year 2023/24, the University of York is offering new learning pathways for students.

The children's news programme visited a school where pupils were investigating their classroom's air quality using the SAMHE monitor and Web App.

Dr Pateman will present a paper on our citizen science work at this hybrid event

Dr Archer will discuss her work on the SAMHE project and childhood exposure to air pollution with other air quality experts

In a debate facilitated by cross-party think tank Policy Connect, Dr Sarah West from SEI York joined a panel of experts to discuss indoor air pollution with cross-party representatives from the UK government. The debate aimed to develop solutions for clean air and thereby improve health outcomes.

Do you have a research background in environmental science and want to join our international team developing mitigation strategies for tackling air pollution and climate change? Apply for our Research Associate role.

The Schools’ Air Quality Monitoring for Health and Education project is seeking 2000 schools for the study in order to build a broad picture of air quality in primary and secondary education settings in the UK.

The Schools' Air Quality Monitoring for Health and Education project launches this week

Do you have financial administration experience in a busy office within a large/complex organisation? If this is you and you're excited to support the work that SEI does, apply for our Centre Finance Administrator role.

In the op-ed "The air is killing us. We know what we must do but will we?" Syeda Hadika Jamshaid and Chris Malley, SEI Research Fellow in York, explain why action on air pollution is critical

Researchers at the universities of York and Heriot-Watt are asking the over 60s to share their experience of how storms, flooding and heatwaves have affected their lives as part of a nationwide study on healthy ageing and climate change.

Are you interested in collating and assessing literature on the topic of heather management on peatlands? Are you good at engaging in collaborative research, with well-developed organisational skills?

The Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre is York’s centre for research, teaching and partnership for global development.

Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption Indicator (GEIC) developed by SEI and partners to assess the sustainability of consumption is adopted as part of a historic new deal to protect nature agreed today at COP 15 in Montreal.

Read the latest issue of the SEI York newsletter, focused on COP27 and climate change.

Read new papers and reports on development finance directed to nature-based solutions, climate migration as an adaptive strategy, creative participatory approaches for inclusive climate resilient transport in Africa, and more.

Are you a dynamic and organised individual interested in supporting our communications specialists on a wide range of projects and centre-level communications?

PhD student Ying Wang shows that spending time in natural environments in childhood leads to more attachment to these environs in adulthood.

We are accepting applications for a fully funded 4-year environmental PhD project.

Do you have a good understanding of the science underpinning environment and development issues and a good knowledge of the science-policy interface? We are recruiting for two Communications Specialists.

Would you like to join a highly motivated team at one of the World's leading environmental think tanks? We're looking for an Administrator to assist with supporting day to day operations.

UK schoolchildren can now interact with live data on their classroom air quality through the SAMHE project.

Read the latest issue of the SEI York newsletter, focused on clean air and climate issues.

Eight countries in South Asia are recommitting to work together to reduce the severe and widespread health and economic impacts of air pollution in the region.

Read new papers and reports on agriculture-driven deforestation, Togo's integrated climate change and air pollution mitigation assessment and lessons from innovations in village governance in Vanuatu.

SEI York now produces a bimonthly newsletter. The second issue is due out this month so sign up now to stay up to date with our latest research!

SEI York invites you to attend our Celebration Event on Monday 25 April 2022 at 1.30pm. The event will celebrate the renewed partnership between SEI and the University of York.

Three new SEI publications on the role of learning in farmer-led innovation, health and wellbeing in cities in the Global South and collaborative pathways to sustainability transformations.

What risks and opportunities are surfacing? What issues warrant greater attention? Take part in the free online event on 12 January as SEI experts offer their perspectives.

Looking for ideas for green New Year's resolutions? Follow these six tips from SEI researchers to have a more sustainable year in 2022.

SEI York Centre Director Sarah West was featured on BBC Breakfast at the York Christmas Market to discuss how people can have a more green and sustainable Christmas.

SEI researchers offer advice on how to have a more environmentally friendly Christmas this year.

City planning needs to consider livability and resident well-being alongside equality of environmental and economic development: new research from SEI's Initiative on City Health and Wellbeing.

Join us as we celebrate the United Nations Day of Human Rights and #StandUp4HumanRights.

Three new SEI publications on cross-border climate impacts, co-created transdisciplinary approaches to local air pollution research, and how we can enable sustainable trade.

SEI's Jessica Slater helps Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith consider the environmental impact of lighting their firepit and cooking bacon each Saturday.

Three new SEI publications on a range of topics from delivering urban wellbeing in the global south, overcoming siloed thinking about food loss and waste, and why consumer countries' laws to tackle commodity-linked deforestation is insufficient.

As COP26 draws to a close, global leaders have spoken about their plans to tackle climate change. SEI’s Chris Malley was interviewed by BBC Radio York to discuss his thoughts on COP26 and the results that will come of it.

Pick your read from seven new SEI publications on a range of topics from nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical health to assessing transboundary climate risks in agricultural commodity flows.

Leading brands including Tesco, Nestle, Sainsbury’s, Nando’s, KFC UK and Ireland, Morrisons and McDonald’s UK and Ireland have signed up to the new UK Soy Manifesto. They have committed to buying only soya that has been grown without deforestation or removal of native vegetation, by 2025.

A NEW practical guide for businesses on how to measure air pollution across value chains is being developed by SEI and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition in partnership with IKEA. It was launched at COP26 and will support companies to understand their impact on air quality and take necessary actions to reduce their emissions to contribute to better health for people and the planet.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned global leaders that humanity has “run down the clock” on climate change and it’s now one minute to midnight. SEI’s Chris Malley shares his thoughts with BBC Radio York from inside the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.

Aftonbladet ran an article about methane gas leaking from fibre banks in Swedish rivers and asked SEI’s Johan Kuylenstierna about the importance of tackling methane gas emissions in the fight against climate change.

As COP15 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity talks began last week, The Guardian ran an article on the five main drivers of biodiversity loss and how countries can collectively act to tackle them. SEI’s Kevin Hicks was asked about the issue of nitrogen pollution.

Learn more about what SEI is doing to support sustainable cities for the health and well-being of their inhabitants and the planet. #UrbanOctober

SEI Research Fellow Simon Croft was quoted in the Phys.org news blog on his contribution to a new SEI report “Climate Change, Trade, and Global Food Security: A Global Assessment of Transboundary Climate Risks in Agricultural Commodity Flows”.

SEI Research Associate Eleni Michalopoulou features on a Russian television news segment discussing how researchers have managed to “farm” coffee in Finland through growing cells in a bioreactor.

SEI’s Chris West was one of a team of experts consulted by Women’s Health Magazine to help create their list of the top 30 best health food products. Chris explains the environmental issues linked to dairy, coffee and meat consumption and suggests ways we can shrink our environmental footprint when doing our food shopping.

Find out more how SEI is supporting the day and is contributing to #HealthyAirHealthyPlanet.

Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) at York researcher Dr Eleni Michalopoulou has contributed to a new COP26 Universities Network Briefing, advising on environmental solutions that are actionable now, as well as research priorities for the next decade.

World Athletics builds on SEI’s air pollution research to introduce Phase 2 of their air quality project – a new method of monitoring air pollution in Nairobi.

Read the new publications released by SEI - a commodity supply mix for more regionalized life cycle assessments; and six modes of co-production for sustainability.

SEI York researchers are taking part in a £2.3mn, UKRI funded project, to improve understanding of the functions and services provided by treescapes.

Integrating assessments of agricultural systems can reduce emissions and improve health, new research suggests.

Take part in SEI-hosted online sessions at World Water Week from 23-27 August as we discuss water governance, sanitation, blue finance and sustainability.

SEI Research Associate Eleni Michalopoulou was featured on a Russian television news segment highlighting the value of celebrity involvement in environmental issues.

SEI Research Associate Eleni Michalopoulou featured on a Russian television news segment to discuss the new EU law to ban single-use plastics.

SEI Senior Research Fellow Chris Malley was interviewed by Neena Bhandari from SciDev.Net about a recent SEI study linking agriculture production, unhealthy diets and rising greenhouse gas emissions.

Long-term research is required to understand the true impacts of different peatland management techniques. For the last 20 years, SEI has studied the effect of different management practices on UK peatlands.

With an increasing range of data, methods and tools now available, SEI is at the forefront of research to understand how these embedded biodiversity losses flow through global supply chains.

We need to rethink the old boundaries of water governance. Traditional units of governance in water management are spatial or biogeographical, watersheds, basins or catchments. Watersheds transcend political, cultural and national boundaries, but their governance is stuck in administrative settings that reflect small-scale national priorities. Those affected directly by water decision-making are left out, along with their environmental concerns.

How did SEI respond to COVID-19, and how is it contributing to a green recovery?

The launch of the new Global Methane Assessment last week identifies an important opportunity to reduce the rate of global warming and achieve significant health and development benefits by reducing methane emissions from human sources.

BBC News Chief Environment Correspondent Justin Rowlatt interviews SEI researcher Eleni Michalopoulou about the new Global Methane Assessment on the 6 o’clock news.

The assessment shows how human-caused methane emissions can be reduced by up to 45% this decade.

A Global Methane Assessment released today by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with support from SEI researchers, shows that human-caused methane emissions can be reduced by up to 45% this decade. Such reductions would avoid nearly 0.3°C of global warming by 2045 and would be consistent with keeping the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5˚C, within reach.

SEI York’s Chris West is quoted in a Sky News article about the UK’s carbon footprint reduction.

More than 300,000 responses to the WWF carbon footprint calculator shows an average 17% reduction in footprint.

More than 300,000 responses to the WWF carbon footprint calculator shows an average 17% reduction in footprint.

Chris West was quoted in this Guardian article on the impacts of western consumption on global deforestation.

There is a clear link between reduced greenhouse gas emissions and better health. A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health shows how millions of premature deaths can be avoided – if the countries tighten their climate work.

It’s no secret that disposable nappies generate huge amounts of plastic waste, with three billion thrown away each year in the UK according to recycling charity WRAP. Are biodegradable nappies the answer if you’re trying to be a more sustainable parent?

On his first day in office, President Joe Biden declared to make progress on his climate agenda, including taking executive action to limit methane pollution from new and existing oil and gas operations. SEI expert on air pollution Dr. Johan C.I Kuylenstierna reacts to the decision.

An interview with key researchers on a project in Bangladesh that evaluated the local air pollution and human health impacts of policies that help mitigate global climate change.

An interview with Steve Cinderby and Diane Archer about SEI's project, City Health and Wellbeing.

SEI's Rachel Pateman suggests how citizen science can address chemical and waste issues that threaten public health and the environment

See SEI's groundbreaking work on the ocean and biodiversity.

The COVID-19 recovery offers a window to develop and implement climate action plans that integrate planning on energy, health and sustainable development towards a more sustainable and resilient recovery. SEI research comprises tools for and insights into such synergistic planning, and highlights how policies on fossil fuel production, air pollution and industry transition can be harnessed for more ambitious and effective NDCs.

Webinars, policy brief, interactive guide and rock star support.

Nairobi, 7 September 2020 – As the world celebrates the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, a new assessment is being developed to illustrate how Africa can achieve key development goals, provide clean air for its people, and help the global fight against climate change. The assessment aims to inform decision making for sustainable economic development in Africa.

As the global community prepares to mark the first International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, countries of all income and development levels are demonstrating that a focus on local air pollution can raise ambition needed to address global climate change.

SEI provides policy advice and measures for addressing air pollution, health and climate change mitigation on the first UN International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.

SEI and Dept of Environment and Geography join new clean air network.

Research by SEI is contributing to heated debates about the best way to manage one of the UK’s most precious upland habitats.

Kevin Hicks, International Nitrogen Initiative (INI) Europe Director contributed to the July issue of Air Quality News newsletter talking about the impact of ammonia emissions.

In Post COVID-19 recovery, public green spaces should play a key role in “building back better”.

The Scientific Advisory Panel of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition – which includes SEI Research Leader Johan C.I. Kuylenstierna – formally issued a call to the global scientific and policy community to work together to help the world recover from the Covid-19 crisis. Published by the International Journal of Public Health, the call urges economic stimulus efforts that make needed connections between health, air pollution, climate and the environment.

Where you live, your income, and how your government has responded to the pandemic can result in critical differences in the availability and accessibility of green spaces, as shown here by the experience of SEI researchers around the world. In the recovery, public green spaces should play a key role in “building back better”.

During the years 2015-2019, SEI invested in research, tool development and capacity enhancement as part of an initiative on Low Emissions Development Pathways (LED-P Initiative).Read about the outcomes and achievements of the work creating an integrated framework for climate change and air pollution, along with easy-to-use planning and analytical tools.

Covid-19 is an unprecedented public health crisis, but it also offers a unique opportunity to revive our societies. Here, SEI experts make recommendations for a sustainable recovery, focusing on policies to promote equity, resilience and green growth.

Against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, SEI conducted a group question-and-answer session to discuss known and emerging issues about air pollution. Senior Research Fellow Chris Malley, Research Leader Johan C.I. Kuylenstierna, and Acting Africa Centre Director Philip Osano answered questions posed by Communications Officer Karen Brandon.

Even if you are isolating, there are a range of citizen science initiatives that can help you connect with and support nature.

SEI’s Marisa Escobar, Alison Dyke and Hector Angarita introduce the SEI Initiative on Water Beyond Boundaries and how it will help to break down barriers to sustainable water management for all.

Sustainable consumption and production is often treated as a single concept, but the two agendas have, in practice, operated in virtual isolation – often talking about each other, but rarely interacting, and in the process critically weakening both. In 2015, SEI launched a new research initiative to explore why that is, and how to get the two working together.

Bringing her passion and inspiration to the role.

SEI is ranked as the world’s top think tank on environmental policy issues in the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 Global Go To Think Tanks Index, billed as the “premier database and measure of world think tanks”.

SEI is ranked as the world’s top think tank on environmental policy issues in the University of Pennsylvania’s 2019 Global Go To Think Tanks Index, billed as the “premier database and measure of world think tanks”.

Are you a great communicator and passionate about the environment? We're looking for a Communications Specialist to ensure our research makes an impact across the globe.

Environmental and atmospheric scientists at the University of York and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) have been awarded £674,000 for a research project which aims to measure air pollution in some of West Africa’s fastest growing cities.

We answer those questions put to us during the last School Climate Change Strike