“Beyond Rio+20 – towards low carbon economy” SEI Tallinn Säästva Eesti Instituut 20 years

SEI in Estonia Ms Tea Nõmmann SEI Tallinn Centre Director

Lars Kristoferson & Linnar Viik After regaining independence Estonia was in dire need of international outlets. The environment field was very suitable. The Stockholm Environment Institute was looking for new outlets in addition to the centres in the USA, UK and HQ in Sweden. SEI international board felt it necessary to expand to the Baltic States, Eastern and Central Europe. Tallinn was best prepared. Two wishes met in the autumn of 1992 and the SEI Tallinn branch was born.

Tõnis Kaasik, SEI Tallinn director During these years a core of personnel was formed that characterises the SEI Tallinn Centre up to this day. Many of the later SEI Tallinn Centre directors have become nationally acknowledged environmental leaders and politicians.

Olavi Tammemäe, SEI Tallinn director, Thanks to its international reputation SEI Tallinn became an attractive cooperation partner for the big European environment consultation companies on the issues of accession to the European Union. Research and development activities and environmental advisory services have remained important activity in SEI Tallinn everydays work.

Valdur Lahtvee, SEI Tallinn director years of SEI Tallinn hard work have been devoted to making the principles of sustainable development an inseparable part of Estonian society. SEI Tallinn has become a network partner of many ministries, and other government and educational organisations, business and non-profit sectors both in Estonia and in the region.

Tea Nõmmann, 2007 – to date The Environmental Economics and Accounting programme was established with the aim of further integrating sustainable development policies and economic long term competitiveness. SEI Tallinn has grown into an active partner in many regional (Interreg) and European research (7FP, EACI) projects. SEI Tallinn staff has become international.

Main achievements over 20 years Leading integrated environmental and sustainability policy researcher in Estonia Key competent areas: –Environmental impact assessments, environmental management, resource and waste management, GHG emissions NAP, JI, sustainable development issues, mobility, urban biodiversity, green fiscal reform, economic analyses of policy instruments, ecosystem valuation Active partner in EC research (FP, Interreg, etc) SEI Tallinn publications series, handbooks, guidelines, seminars, lectures, participation in expert groups

SEI Tallinn as an initiator Sustainable Development Forums since 2001 Estonian Council of Environmental NGOs (EKO), 2002 Estonian Association for Environmental Management (EKJA), 2003 Sustainable Development web-based Glossary, 2006 Green Economy Promoter Awards to enterprises, 2012

Future challenges Active involvement in SEI global research themes: –Managing Environmental Systems –Reducing Climate Risks –Transforming Governance –Rethinking Development Trusted and objective research partner Widening our collaborative base Raising our researche excellence

SEI Tallinn 2012

The challenge - World footprint