Topic 3: The role of CAPs in supporting monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of progress in adaptation

This page features lessons shared by KE4CAP climate adaption platforms on the current practices, innovations and challenges related the monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of progress in adaptation

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29th Aug 2021
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Background: The KE4CAP Synthesis Report

This topic page forms a chapter of the KE4CAP Synthesis Report, which brings together learning from across all KE4CAP’s activities (see Further Resources for links to relevant pages). The KE4CAP project is providing a global forum for developers and operators of climate adaptation knowledge platforms (CAPs) to come together to share knowledge and best practices, and to work together to address common and emerging challenges.

Introduction: The role of CAPs in supporting adaptation MRE

While perceived as important, monitoring, reporting and evaluation (MRE) of adaptation actions by platforms is still an emerging role for CAPs, but one that is likely to become increasingly important. Current activities tend to be at an early stage and are both diverse and diffuse, reflecting the different remits, histories and positions of CAPs within the policy and practice space. At present, CAPs focus primarily on reporting and/or monitoring roles; the move to evaluation of adaptation action is seen as considerably more challenging and raises questions as to the legitimacy of this as a role for platforms.

Lessons Learnt

Current practices

Supporting MRE reporting. CAPs are providing a range of information for policymakers and others preparing their respective MRE reports, including links to adaptation strategies and plans, guidance, and reports to support vertical and horizontal coordination.
Engaging with Ministries. CAPs are engaging with relevant ministries and those responsible for scrutiny related to progress on adaptation through regular exchanges that provide timely opportunities to share MRE information at the national and transnational levels. There is potential to enhance the perceived value of platforms.
Case studies / users’ journeys. This is the primary means that CAPs are using to promote, inspire and inform adaptation action, and are recognised as providing snapshots of the type and state of adaptation action being taken.

Selected innovations

Adaptation Scotland. Introduced a benchmarking tool for the Adaptation Capability Framework that seeks to assess how adaptation capability is maturing over time with potential utility in measuring adaptive capacity and preparedness.

Sweden and TCCIP (Taiwan). Have specific platforms and/or web-based tools to support MRE of adaptation progress that provide information on national policy and that act as means for authorities to report annually on progress. In Sweden, the KLIRA web tool has been developed to support local authorities who report on adaptation voluntarily. It is relatively simple to use, helps monitor adaptation progress, and can be used to identify risks and opportunities.

The Netherlands. Recognize that there is valuable qualitative information already available within the platform history that can inform MRE activities e.g., changes in demand have driven changes in engagement and uptake. Trends can be extrapolated and used to guide future developments, including those supporting MRE.

Shared challenges 

Most CAPs view the MRE of adaptation as beyond their current mandate and resource allocation, and that their role is limited by perceived legitimacy. There is also a lack of processes and capabilities required to contribute to MRE, lack of access to relevant information, and the inability to develop platform solutions that provide the technical features needed for MRE.  
Overcoming the complexity associated with developing such a MRE capability, as well as difficulties associated with matching the scale of the existing and evolving risks with the proposed and implemented adaptation measures so as to inform the required evaluation.