Formally established in 1989 by the Swedish Government, it has built a reputation for rigorous and objective scientific analysis in the field of environment and development.

SEI is:

• International - SEI has offices in five continents around the world, and works locally, regionally and globally.
• Trusted - decision-makers and the academic community recognize us as an independent and non-partisan institute.
• Credible - our research is objective, and supported by rigorous peer review.
• Relevant - only joined-up research can solve joined-up problems: our work makes connections across the natural, physical, and social sciences, allowing us to take new angles on key issues and offer robust, insightful policy advice.

SEI operates through its eight centres around the world in Sweden, the UK, the US, Thailand, Kenya, Estonia and Colombia.

Our work spans from climate, water, air, and land-use issues, and integrates evidence and perspectives on governance, to the economy, gender and human health.

SEI's approach is highly collaborative: stakeholder involvement is at the heart of our efforts to build capacity, strengthen institutions and equip partners for the long term. We make sure our knowledge and findings are clearly communicated and accessible to decision-makers and civil-society. We publish our own open access material in leading academic journals and repackage our research to offer effective decision support.

To promote debate and share knowledge we convene decision-makers, academics and practitioners, and engage with policy processes, development action and business practice throughout the world.

We are committed to transparency and believe that full disclosure of our finances and funding builds trust in our work. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is our largest single donor, but we also receive broad support from other development agencies, governments, NGOs, universities, businesses, and financial institutions.

More specifically concerning disaster risk reduction, our recent work has been focusing on transforming the relationship between development and disaster risks, as well as integrating the global agendas on SDGs, Climate and the SFDRR.