Using Process-Based Indicators to Help Design Effective Policies on Food Security in the Context of Climate Change

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) proposes the use of process-based indicators to improve the design and implementation of food security policies amidst climate change. Using the Food Security Indicator & Policy Analysis Tool (FIPAT) applied in Central America, the authors argue that moving beyond traditional output and outcome indicators to process-based indicators allows policy-makers to monitor decision-making, institutional capacity, and inclusivity.

• Process-based indicators are proposed as proxies for potential outcomes because outcome indicators, particularly regarding resilience, are often difficult to attribute to specific actions and are typically not visible until a disaster occurs. These indicators focus on "decision-making processes, institutional capacities, knowledge management, integration of information (including scientific and traditional) and approaches to inclusion and representation."
• The Food Security Indicator & Policy Analysis Tool (FIPAT), an Excel-based tool derived from IISD's ADAPTool, was used in Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua to assess the resilience of food systems and the effectiveness of public policies. It follows a sequence to identify vulnerable food system elements, determine resilience actions, select monitoring indicators, and assess policy support.
• Effective food security policies require the creation of inclusive, participatory processes to avoid the distrust caused by ad hoc participation. It is specifically noted that vulnerable groups, who are often marginalized in government processes, must be included in the design and implementation of policies targeting poor and marginal groups.
• Decentralization is identified as a critical factor for policy success, as local decision-makers possess the best knowledge of local situations. To be effective, these local actors require delegated decision-making powers as well as the necessary technical and financial capacities to implement food security policies.
• A shift in institutional culture is necessary to integrate policy reviews into the development and implementation cycle. During the application of FIPAT, some policy-makers expressed fear that negative assessment outcomes could lead to "negative performance reviews, budget cuts and, ultimately, even job loss."
• To move from reactive disaster mitigation and food aid toward proactive resilience, policies should integrate best practices in resource management and risk mitigation, and utilize forecasts and integrated management systems for land and water resources.

APA

Bizikova, L., Echeverría, D., Zamudio, A. N., & Keller, M. (2014). Using Process-Based Indicators to Help Design Effective Policies on Food Security in the Context of Climate Change. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/process-based-indicators-food-security.pdf

Chicago

Bizikova, Livia, Daniella Echeverría, Alicia Natalia Zamudio, and Marius Keller. Using Process-Based Indicators to Help Design Effective Policies on Food Security in the Context of Climate Change. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2014. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/process-based-indicators-food-security.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bizikova |first1=Livia |last2=Echeverría |first2=Daniella |last3=Zamudio |first3=Alicia Natalia |last4=Keller |first4=Marius |title=Using Process-Based Indicators to Help Design Effective Policies on Food Security in the Context of Climate Change |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=November 2014 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/process-based-indicators-food-security.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bizikova2014using, author = {Bizikova, Livia and Echeverría, Daniella and Zamudio, Alicia Natalia and Keller, Marius}, title = {{Using Process-Based Indicators to Help Design Effective Policies on Food Security in the Context of Climate Change}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2014}, month = nov, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/process-based-indicators-food-security.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }