There are nineNational Adaptation to Climate Change Strategic Frameworks that can help to il. Four are from more developed countries, namely Australia, Scotland UK., Belgium, and Germany, and five are from developing countries – Bangladesh, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Mozambique and Sudan. Germany is highlighted in a box as one example of frameworks rich in process details.
A national adaptation framework will be shaped, in part, by the specifics of the country. Indeed, among the national frameworks discussed here, there are some differences in the frameworks, as each country comes to the table with different levels of resources, vulnerabilities, strengths and weaknesses. However, despite these differences, many commonalities are shared among the national frameworks. These commonalities and topics for further consideration are presented. Commonalities
Identifying the Context
Most of the national frameworks identify the context in which adaptation to climate change will occur. In identifying the context, the national frameworks specifically look at some of the following issues, including: geographical information, the socio-economic situation, demographic information and key environmental stressors.
Vulnerability Assessment
Each of the national frameworks include an assessment of current observed impacts of climate change, as well as an assessment of current vulnerability and future vulnerability to climate change. Within the vulnerability assessments, vulnerabilities to specific climatic hazards are identified, such as: droughts, cyclones and floods.
National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs)
Each of the national frameworks of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), include provisions for preparing for NAPAs, as well as identifying obstacles to NAPAs implementation. As part of NAPA, each LCD is to prioritize their adaptation needs. Accordingly, each of these national frameworks identifies specific sectors, communities and regions that are the most vulnerable to climate change. Additionally, prioritization criteria are included.
Sectors
Each of the national frameworks categorizes vulnerability assessments and adaptation objectives according to sectors, such as: agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure, health and tourism.
Objectives & Strategies of Action
Each of the national frameworks shares a general objective of reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience to climate change. How each national framework plans to achieve this objective differs
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according to the specifics of their needs and resources and context in which they are adapting. Yet, despite these differences, there are many shared strategies for adaptation among the national frameworks, including: increased capacity development of stakeholders, increased cooperation and integration among stakeholders, natural resource management, increased technical capacity of national experts, and an increased awareness of climate change across all levels of government and among all stakeholders.
Further Considerations
According to the adaptation literature, indicators are the best way to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of an adaptation implementation. Among the national frameworks discussed here, there is virtually no discussion of indicators. Indeed, if adaptation implementations are to be properly assessed, indicators will need to be developed and incorporated into all national adaptation frameworks. Other issues that are relatively absent in these national adaptation frameworks, but deserve further consideration, include: maladaptation, gender, indigenous peoples, information collection and dissemination and aligning and integrating adaptation efforts with current development agendas, like poverty alleviation and disaster risk reduction.
For details regarding all nine case studies, please refer to Appendices following the Summary Remarks
8. Summary Remarks
It is envisaged that this document, a suggested Framework for Capacity Development for Monitoring and Evaluating Adaptation to Climate Change Intervention, will assist practitioners and facilitate their further positive plans and actions.
As an addition to the many rich resources related to M&E for ACC, this Framework works to complement the current array of literature, mainly by means of presenting a simple and straight forward approach to capacity development for monitoring and evaluating adaptation of climate change interventions. A considerable part of the report is devoted to more conceptual, yet foundational discussion, as a backdrop for action. Much of the information presented has been obtained from direct action research of evaluations of ACC and DRR projects completed, and ongoing. One of the main lessons learned from this study is the importance of having all parties or stakeholders actually work – and plan- together, with real buy-in, interest and support. The leading role in government leadership, or Director´s level leadership in civil society, or CEO´s level support in the private sector, is vital for action in ACC, and as well in M&E for ACC.
Economic considerations and factors cannot be overestimated in terms of swaying public and political will, thus it is good practice to ensure that economic considerations are demonstrated clearly and openly, comparing the costs of action with the almost always, exponentially higher, costs of inaction.
Monitoring and evaluation for adaptation to climate change interventions is a relatively straightforward process, once it is approached by means of a structured, yet dynamic and coherent
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framework. Extensive terminology and conceptual discussions are better kept to a minimum outside of more academic circles, as this tends to put off practitioners, who are often given M&E as one additional task to their other duties, both in the public and private sector.
Monitoring and evaluating of adaptation to climate change interventions is as critically needed as it is endlessly dynamic an area of study and practice. As climate change continues to impact global society, more interventions will be needed, supported and implemented, and thus demand will respectively increase for sound and solid ways and means by which to measure their effectiveness and ACC progress generally. It is timely for experts and practitioners alike, to meet with leaders from the other stakeholder groups, and set forth the necessary policy and legislative tools, along with the support needed to implement effective monitoring and evaluation for adaptation to climate change.
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