Abstract

This toolkit provides practical guidance for the development and continuous improvement of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems for national adaptation plan (NAP) processes. It is informed by lessons learned from countries around the globe that either already implement or are developing MEL systems as part of their NAP processes. Illustrative practical examples are embedded throughout the toolkit. 

By strengthening MEL systems and supporting assessments of progress in the implementation of NAP processes at both the national and sub-national levels, the toolkit also seeks to strengthen countries’ contributions to communications and reporting under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, including as part of the global stock take and the United Arab Emirates Framework for Global Climate Resilience (UAE FGCR).

This toolkit is primarily designed for government teams in developing countries leading their country’s NAP processes. It aims to support them in developing and operating a MEL system for NAP processes. It is also a resource for consultants, experts, multilateral organizations, and development partners involved in supporting government-led NAP processes. In addition to national-level government decision-makers, this toolkit is further intended as a resource for actors interested in learning more about MEL for NAP processes, including civil society, academia, government officials at sub-national levels, and the private sector. Engaging stakeholders is highlighted as crucial for ensuring the effectiveness and equity of NAP processes and their MEL systems.

Each section presents key foundational concepts, sets out important considerations for countries and practitioners, and describes practical actions for developing and strengthening national MEL systems to support NAP processes. Practical examples are used to illustrate how different countries have approached the development and implementation of MEL systems. Each section begins with a summary of the content it contains. At the end of each subsection, there is a list of key resources for you to access more information on specific aspects of MEL for NAP processes. Throughout the toolkit, there are hyperlinks to resources and case studies, boxes of featured publications, and an extensive reference list to enable you to deepen your learning.

This toolkit provides flexible guidance on the planning, implementation, and revision of MEL systems, regardless of what stage you are at in your NAP processes or the development and implementation of your MEL system. In the organization of the toolkit, we aim to reflect the different yet highly aligned framings that countries and the UNFCCC use to refer to the main phases of NAP processes. Sections of the toolkit are organized to describe the MEL actions that countries commonly undertake during each of the phases of NAP processes. The toolkit follows the phases of the Iterative Adaptation Cycle, reflecting the recent decision establishing the UAE FGCR at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP) 28.

We encourage you to refer to the sections that are most relevant to your national circumstances. To get started, you should first consider your national context and determine the purpose(s) of MEL, since these considerations influence what a suitable MEL system looks like.

Affiliated Organizations

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

UNFCCC stands for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Convention has near universal membership (198 Parties) and is the parent treaty of the 2015 Paris Agreement. The main aim of the Paris Agreement is to keep the global average temperature rise this century as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The UNFCCC is also the parent treaty of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

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