National Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems for Climate Change Adaptation

The report analyzes MEL systems for climate change adaptation in Canada, France, Kenya, Namibia, Peru, Somalia, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. It finds that while all nine countries have initiated MEL efforts, most focus on monitoring and progress reporting, with evaluation and learning remaining less developed. The study emphasizes that MEL systems are iterative, context-specific processes rather than one-size-fits-all blueprints, and highlights a significant increase in the integration of MEL frameworks into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) over the last decade.

• All nine sampled countries have initiated work and possess at least partially functional MEL systems for adaptation and NAP processes, though operationalization primarily focuses on monitoring and progress reporting.
• The United Kingdom has the most extensive history of MEL for adaptation, starting with a 2010 report that used a "preparedness ladder" and later transitioning to "monitoring maps."
• Developing countries in the sample—Kenya, Namibia, Peru, Somalia, Tonga, and Vietnam—rely heavily on international donors and external support to finance and operationalize their MEL systems.
• There is a significant gap in the integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) within MEL systems; while most countries mention GESI in plans, only Kenya and Vietnam have specified GESI-specific indicators.
• Learning—the process of using M&E insights to change knowledge, attitudes, or behaviors—is most advanced in France and the United Kingdom, where reports directly inform subsequent adaptation planning cycles.
• Since 2014, there has been a marked shift from purely exploratory frameworks to operational systems, with 53% of countries that submitted NAP documents now including MEL frameworks as of 2024.
• National MEL systems are increasingly linked to global reporting requirements, such as the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (FGCR), which targets the operationalization of national MEL systems by 2030.
• Somalia currently lacks a comprehensive national MEL system for adaptation and a legal framework, though it has a broader M&E framework for development projects established in 2018.
• Vietnam's MEL system is characterized by strong vertical integration, with a legal mandate (Decision 148/QD-TTg) requiring data collection from 63 provinces and various national ministries.
• Tonga's MEL operationalization was significantly hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural calamities, leading to a current effort to reinitiate the system.

APA

Njuguna, L., Uri, I., & Beauchamp, E. (2024). National Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems for Climate Change Adaptation. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-07/monitoring-evaluation-learning-systems-adaptation.pdf

Chicago

Njuguna, Lucy, Ike Uri, and Emilie Beauchamp. National Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems for Climate Change Adaptation. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2024. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-07/monitoring-evaluation-learning-systems-adaptation.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Njuguna |first1=Lucy |last2=Uri |first2=Ike |last3=Beauchamp |first3=Emilie |title=National Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems for Climate Change Adaptation |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=July 2024 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-07/monitoring-evaluation-learning-systems-adaptation.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{njuguna2024national, author = {Njuguna, Lucy and Uri, Ike and Beauchamp, Emilie}, title = {{National Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems for Climate Change Adaptation}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2024}, month = jul, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-07/monitoring-evaluation-learning-systems-adaptation.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }