Steps to Identify and Use Adaptation Indicators for National Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems

The document outlines a comprehensive approach to developing adaptation indicators, emphasizing that they must be grounded in a Theory of Change (ToC) and national context rather than solely in global frameworks. It details a 10-step process (grouped into design, implementation, and learning phases) to move from clarifying objectives to institutionalizing data collection and conducting regular reviews. The guide highlights the importance of using a mix of quantitative and qualitative indicators, ensuring gender and social inclusion (GESI) through data disaggregation, and piloting systems before full-scale rollout to ensure feasibility and data quality.

• Adaptation indicators are context-specific and must be tailored to national priorities and institutional realities first, with alignment to global frameworks serving as a secondary consideration.
• An effective indicator system requires a diverse mix of data types, including process and results indicators, quantitative and qualitative measures, and contextual climate parameters to capture complex changes.
• Indicators should be anchored in a Theory of Change (ToC) to establish the causal logic connecting inputs to outputs, outcomes, and long-term impacts.
• To avoid masking inequities, indicators must incorporate gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) by using disaggregated data for groups such as gender, age, Indigeneity, and disability.
• The guide recommends a phased implementation approach where indicators are validated and piloted in a limited number of sectors or regions before a full national rollout to reduce costs and improve effectiveness.
• The UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (UAE FGCR) sets a global target for all countries to have an operationalized MEL system for national adaptation efforts by 2030.
• The Belém Adaptation Indicators (BAIs), adopted at COP 30 in 2025, consist of 59 voluntary, country-driven indicators that cover all UAE FGCR targets.
• Indicator systems must undergo regular 'MEL of MEL' reviews to ensure they remain relevant and that the generated data is actually used to inform adaptation decisions.

APA

Beauchamp, E., & Montpetit, K. (2026). Steps to Identify and Use Adaptation Indicators for National Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems. NAP Global Network. https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/napgn-en-2026-practice-briefs-adaptation-indicators-mel-systems.pdf

Chicago

Beauchamp, Emilie, and Krystel Montpetit. Steps to Identify and Use Adaptation Indicators for National Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems. NAP Global Network, 2026. https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/napgn-en-2026-practice-briefs-adaptation-indicators-mel-systems.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Beauchamp |first1=Emilie |last2=Montpetit |first2=Krystel |title=Steps to Identify and Use Adaptation Indicators for National Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems |publisher=NAP Global Network |date=June 2026 |url=https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/napgn-en-2026-practice-briefs-adaptation-indicators-mel-systems.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{beauchamp2026steps, author = {Beauchamp, Emilie and Montpetit, Krystel}, title = {{Steps to Identify and Use Adaptation Indicators for National Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems}}, institution = {NAP Global Network}, year = {2026}, month = jun, url = {https://napglobalnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/napgn-en-2026-practice-briefs-adaptation-indicators-mel-systems.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }