SEI-US
The Stockholm Environment Institute US Center (SEI-US) is a non-profit research organization affiliated with the Stockholm Environment Institute, an international research organization working on sustainable development. We are also a research affiliate of Tufts University in Massachusetts. Our main office is on the Tufts campus in Somerville, MA and we also have offices in Davis, California and Seattle, Washington.
Our work is interdisciplinary in nature: drawing upon engineering, economics, ecology, ethics, operations research, international relations and software design. We conduct applied scientific research: bringing the best available science to policy makers.
In addition to providing policy-relevant analyses, we build capacity in the developing world for integrated sustainability planning through training and collaboration on projects. Our decision support tools such as LEAP for energy and climate mitigation and WEAP for water resources are widely used.
Our activities are organized into three programs:
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The Climate and Energy Program conducts energy system analyses, examines environmental consequences of energy use such as global warming, and develops policies for a transition to efficient and renewable energy technology. |
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The Water Resources Program brings an integrated framework to freshwater assessment, one that seeks sustainable water solutions by balancing the need for basic water services, development and the environment. |
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The Future Sustainability Program takes a holistic perspective in assessing sustainability at global, regional, and national levels. |
The Stockholm Environment Institute US Center (SEI-US) is a non-profit research organization with 501c(3) status.
News
Examining the UK Government’s Approach to Climate Change Economics
Two new SEI reports commissioned by Friends of the Earth, UK (FOE UK), examine the UK Government’s approach for evaluating the economics of climate change. The first report examines DEFRA’s new approach for assigning a damage cost to CO2 emissions. The second report critically assesses how the UK government is proposing to assess the costs and benefits of expanding Heathrow Airport. The FOE UK press release for this report is available here. For more information, please contact the lead author, Liz Stanton.
CO2 Emissions from UK Consumption Increase
A new SEI study reports that CO2 emissions associated with UK consumption increased by 18%, between 1992 and 2004 – in sharp contrast to official figures which report a decline of 5%. The difference is due to a fuller accounting to not only include emissions occurring within the nation’s borders but also those caused by goods imported into the UK. The research was funded by the UK Government and undertaken by SEI’s Center at the University of York in the UK and the Centre for Integrated Sustainability Analysis (ISA) in Sydney, Australia.
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Poisoned for Pennies: The Economics of Toxics and Precaution
June 2008
A new book by Frank Ackerman presents a critique of cost-benefit analysis and describes an alternative, precautionary approach to policy for toxic chemicals. The research was done at the Global Development And Environment Institute (GDAE) a research institute at Tufts University. More Information (external link to GDAE)
Climate Change: Costs of Inaction for the United States
May 2008
New study on the costs of inaction for the U.S. economy by Frank Ackerman and Elizabeth A. Stanton. Commissioned by the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), this report presents both a detailed analysis of four major categories of climate costs, and comprehensive modeling of climate impacts on the economy as a whole. More information
The Caribbean and Climate Change: The Costs of Inaction
June 2008
New study by Ramón Bueno, Cornelia Herzfeld, Elizabeth Stanton, and Frank Ackerman. Commissioned by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), this is the first detailed analysis of the potential economic effects of continued climate change for the entire Caribbean region.
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Greenhouse Development Rights Framework
Sivan Kartha
The Right to Development in a Climate Constrained World:Greenhouse Development Rights Framework.
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Carbon Offsetting & Air Travel
Part 1: CO2-Emissions Calculations
May 2, 2008
Anja Kollmuss & Jessica Lane Release of first of two papers on air travel emissions calculations for the purpose of carbon offsetting.
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Making Sense of the Voluntary Carbon Market: A Comparison of Carbon Offset Standards
March 10, 2008
Anja Kollmuss
Release of a comprehensive new report on the voluntary carbon offset market.
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