Adaptation, Livelihoods and Ecosystems Planning Tool: User Manual

The ALivE tool is a decision-support system that guides users through a three-phase process to build climate resilience. Phase 1 involves gathering data via secondary research and participatory methods. Phase 2 uses the tool to analyse risks, identify and prioritise EbA options based on effectiveness and feasibility, and design project activities. Phase 3 focuses on integrating these options into broader policies and planning processes to ensure sustainability and scale.

• The ALivE tool is structured into three modules and five steps: Module A focuses on understanding the context and analysing risks to ecosystems and livelihoods; Module B identifies and prioritises EbA options and designs project activities; and Module C establishes a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework.
• Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) is defined as the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services to help people adapt to climate change, involving the restoration, conservation, and sustainable management of ecosystems to support both human livelihoods and ecosystem health.
• Effective EbA must be gender-sensitive, recognising that men and women experience climate impacts differently and may have different capacities to adapt, which requires responsive planning regarding decision-making and resource access.
• The tool employs a multi-criteria analysis to prioritise EbA options based on five effectiveness criteria: risk reduction potential, improvement of adaptive capacity, benefits for vulnerable groups/gender equality, sustainable use of biodiversity, and the building of ecosystem resilience.
• Feasibility of prioritised EbA options is assessed using at least four criteria selected from a default list including affordability, technical feasibility, political feasibility, maintenance costs, monitorability, flexibility, number of beneficiaries, and cultural appropriateness.
• The manual emphasises adaptive management as an iterative process of 'learning by doing,' where adaptation actions are followed by long-term monitoring to refine strategies based on new information and uncertainties.
• To achieve scale and sustainability, EbA should be integrated into existing policies and planning processes, such as National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), which provide strategic opportunities for institutionalisation and financing.

APA

Terton, A., & Dazé, A. (2018). Adaptation, Livelihoods and Ecosystems Planning Tool: User Manual. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/alive-tool-manual-full.pdf

Chicago

Terton, Anika, and Angie Dazé. Adaptation, Livelihoods and Ecosystems Planning Tool: User Manual. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2018. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/alive-tool-manual-full.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Terton |first1=Anika |last2=Dazé |first2=Angie |title=Adaptation, Livelihoods and Ecosystems Planning Tool: User Manual |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2018 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/alive-tool-manual-full.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{terton2018adaptation, author = {Terton, Anika and Dazé, Angie}, title = {{Adaptation, Livelihoods and Ecosystems Planning Tool: User Manual}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2018}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/alive-tool-manual-full.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }