What Indicates Improved Resilience to Climate Change? A Learning and Evaluative Process Developed From a Child‐Centered, Community‐Based Project in the Philippines

Abstract

Community‐based climate change adaptation and resilience (CCAR) projects increasingly recognize that climate change impacts are localized, requiring context‐specific interventions. Conventional approaches to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) are, however, ill‐suited to understanding the impact of such CCAR interventions. To address this gap, research based on a child‐centered community‐based adaptation project in the Philippines has developed a practical and replicable process for developing evidence‐based, local‐level indicators of effective adaptation. The process assesses how the project influenced children's knowledge, advocacy efforts, and impact on policy and practice. Evidence was generated from qualitative inquiry, primarily through focus group discussions with children. The analysis included scalar ratings to help to meet quantitative reporting requirements. A detailed guide was developed for implementing agencies to systematically understand, measure, and communicate evidence. The process can also be translated to community development projects seeking to evaluate change under uncertainty.

Evaluating Climate Change Action for Sustainable Development

“…Most of the approved methodologies applied this approach. 12 Second way is to adjust "project emissions" conservatively. The methodology uses predefined default values instead of the actual values measured and monitored from the project.…”

“…The collective evaluation on these project-based SDIPs and SDIRs by the Joint Committee or the Japanese government may be used to evaluate contribution to sustainable development at mechanisms-level for the JCM. 27 Negotiations under the Article 6 of the Paris Agreement could consider the development of mechanisms such as the JCM. Once the negotiations start discussing sustainable development the JCM approach to sustainable development evaluation can be an example.…”

“…Before the study period in 1985-1993, Thailand as a whole lost 11 % of its forested area (Royal Forest Department 1994) and specifically the province of Chiang Mai lost almost 2000 square km of forest, which equals 10 % of its provincial land area. 12 Forest loss in the province has been attributed mainly to agricultural practices. 13,14…”

“…Irrigation is usually provided by rain and, to a lesser extent, by small man-made weirs and canals. 27 Acidic Soil The other variable used to measure the productivity of land is acidity of soil. Acidity of soil is an undesirable quality.…”

“…The G8 has published several documents regarding the promise of impact investing 11 and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development has been instrumental in developing the inclusion of natural resources accounting in business practices. 12 Civil society initiatives range from fair trade to climate-smart agricultural practices (the range of initiatives is staggering), as is demonstrated in the Social Enterprises World Forum. 13 Climate change is a complex issue encompassing physical, technological, institutional, economic, social and political spheres.…”