Highlights and images for 3 December 2023

Using Progress Reporting to Advance Your NAP: How Countries Track and Assess Progress

In response to the climate crisis and as part of their medium- to long-term strategies for heightened adaptation, numerous countries are crafting and executing National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) while also formulating monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems. Despite the pressing demand for visible outcomes and a comprehensive understanding of adaptation progress, only a limited number of countries are currently actively monitoring and reporting on implementation of their NAPs.
 
This event, hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), explored various approaches to NAP implementation, assessment, and reporting by Vietnam, Tonga, Albania and the UK. Speakers shared diverse approaches and lessons learnt in progress reporting.

Tran Do Bao Trung, Ministry of National Resources and Environment, Viet Nam welcomed guests to the event. In opening remarks, Nguyễn Tuấn Quang, Ministry of National Resources and Environment, Viet Nam, noted that tracking progress of NAP implementation is a key challenge for several countries. He mentioned his country’s development of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to track progress of NAP implementation, highlighting the use of both quantitative and qualitative indicators.

Emilie Beauchamp, IISD, moderated the event. She reported that the NAP Global Network, hosted at IISD, aims to support developing countries advance their NAP processes. She then presented the Network’s analysis of Reporting on Progress in National Adaptation Plan Processes, which emphasizes the value of MEL as a dynamic tool and learning process that allows actors to reflect strategically on country adaptation goals. She reported that 51% of NAPs globally include MEL frameworks and that 69% of them have commitments on progress reporting. 

Thanh Nga Trần, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Viet Nam, said her country’s national climate change adaptation M&E system was developed with the objectives of tracking progress and enhancing adaptation. She noted that the system establishes responsibilities for its implementation among different actors, including ministries and ministerial-level agencies, as well as at the provincial level. The provinces, she added, also provide their annual reports, which are then incorporated into an annual online database.

Lu'isa Tu'I'Afitu-Malolo, Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, Tonga, reported on the Second Joint National Action Plan (JNAP 2) on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (2018-2028), which follows JNAP 1 (2010-2015). JNAP 2, she remarked, shapes Tonga’s current adaptation strategies while ensuring stakeholder involvement at all stages. Lack of systematic monitoring approaches in JNAP 1, she continued, inspired the prioritization of an M&E framework in JNAP 2. The M&E framework, she added, utilizes MEL processes and has assisted Tonga in identifying gaps and securing funding to address capacity-building challenges.

In a joint virtual presentation, Brandon Freeman and Ashley Diggins, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK, presented the progress reporting approach applied by the Climate Change Committee (CCC). The CCC, they noted, applies a systems-based approach to evaluate the risks and opportunities that climate change poses to the UK. This approach encompasses 13 systems designed to comprehensively address 61 identified risks and opportunities. Given that these systems are influenced by multiple risks, they noted, the approach focuses on coordinated efforts and joint responses to effectively manage these challenges. They further presented the UK’s third NAP for 2023-2028, which supports annual adaptation capability surveys to gauge preparedness and resilience, and annual evaluation workshops that provide a platform for stakeholders to collaboratively assess the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives and identify areas for improvement.

Eneida Rabdishta, Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Albania, reported that the preparation of her country’s first progress report commenced in 2022, revealing that while Albania has a climate change framework, there has been limited monitoring of its implications. Her ministry, she continued, has coordinated the reporting process, with a focus on energy-related adaptation measures. She reported challenges identified due to limited capacity, and thus the reliance on external consultants to support report drafting. She said that this is the basis of a project with the UN Development Programme to enhance capacity and revise Albania’s NAP. She further reported efforts underway to involve a broader range of stakeholders, including local governments to draft their own NAPs. 
 
In closing remarks, Tuấn Quang noted that the tracking of progress requires the identification of stakeholders and the verification of data through on-the-ground surveys. He added that capacity building on data collection is key, and noted the importance of guidelines for data collection.
 
Organizer: IISD
Contact: Christian Ledwell | cledwell@iisd.ca
For more information: iisd.org