Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation at the national and subnational levels: Technical paper
This technical paper explores the current landscape of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for climate change adaptation at the national and subnational level. M&E is a critical component of adapting to climate change. This paper aims to further enhance knowledge and practice of M&E in adaptation, benefiting policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders interested in advancing this field.
The challenges and opportunities discussed throughout this paper lead to several key takeaways:
- The case studies featured here exemplify the dedication of national and subnational governments worldwide to advance adaptation M&E, reflecting a deepening awareness of its importance.
- The paper identifies a range of barriers and challenges faced in the realm of adaptation M&E. These include issues related to indicators, the tension between robustness and feasibility, and the risk of generating unintended incentives through imperfect indicators
- While indicators often serve as central components of M&E systems, their selection and role must be carefully considered. Expectations should be aligned with their capabilities, and the potential for "perverse incentives" should be kept in mind.
- Governments often face a tension between aiming for comprehensive M&E systems that provide the best possible understanding of adaptation and adopting feasible processes in the short term. Pragmatism and incremental expansion are advised.