Evaluation of adaptation response measures in

South Africa

11 February 2015

Climate Change and Air Quality

Purpose of Presentation • Provide an overview of adaptation M&E work in South Africa

• Outline the objective of the climate change response M&E

system (adaptation component)

• Indicate progress made in M&E of adaptation response

measures

• Highlight lessons learnt in M&E of adaptation response

measures

Adaptation M&E in South Africa

1. Maintenance and enhancement of nation-wide climate change and atmospheric monitoring systems.

Data analysis, synthesis, archiving, interpretation and

dissemination will be a key component of this

effort.(12.1.1)

2. Monitoring of climate change impacts (12.1.2)

3. Establish monitoring and

evaluation system for gathering information and reporting progress

on the implementation of adaptation actions (12.1.3)

4. Identify the key role-players

involved in monitoring and measuring indicators of progress on the implementation of adaptation actions. Describe how these role

players will share and report information on observed climate

change (12.1.4)

Mandate from the NCCRWP

1. Progress in implementation of the plans and strategies

2. Effectiveness of transfer of climate change related information to all stakeholders

3. Establishment, maintenance , enhancement and strengthening of monitoring systems to

adapt and respond to disasters 4. Monitoring and assessment of vulnerability

and risks 5. Progress on prevention, mitigation,

preparedness, response and recovery mechanisms

6. Compliance with international obligation related to climate change

7. Need for alignment with the national climate change response M&E system

Identification of key adaptation M&E issues from key sectors strategies/plans

CC response M&E system objective

(adaptation component)

• To track the transition towards a climate resilient

South Africa

Key Elements of M&E of climate resilience

M&E of climate resilience

Climate information Climate risks, impacts

& vulnerability Adaptive capacity & response measures

Climate observations

& enhancement of

climate monitoring

systems & networks

Climatic &

atmospheric data

analysis &

dissemination

Observed & projected

climate impacts and

climate risks Monitoring changing

vulnerability

Other stressors that

affect vulnerability

Climate change

institutional

arrangements

Mainstreaming

climate change

adaptation

Climate Change Adaptation Response Measures

Building

blocks

Key elements

of M&E of

climate

resilience

Adaptation Response Measures

Climate Change Adaptation Response Measures

• Policies

• Plans/strategies

• Programmes

• M&E systems &

networks

• Tools / Guidelines

• Events

• Research

Reduces climate vulnerability

Tracks climate risks and impacts

Support climate proof development

Support CC resilient decision making

Build capacity of institutions, systems & communities

• Mapping of adaptation response measures

• Progress in implementation

• Effectiveness of the response measure

• Evaluation of response measure

Progress to date • Mapped climate change adaptation related policies at

national and subnational level (e.g status quo analysis)

• Results indicated:

– Development of climate change adaptation

plans/strategies at national and subnational

– Review of some legislative frameworks to include

climate change adaptation

– Integration of adaptation in other

policies/plans/strategies

Progress to date

Integration of adaptation in:

• National Development Plan

• Climate change strategies/plans

• Disaster Risk Reduction Plans

• Environmental Management

Frameworks/plans

• National Housing Code

• Coastal Management programmes

• Green economy plan/framework

• Growth and development strategies

Lessons learned

• Need to define the what will be

evaluated

– For example

• Vulnerability/risk assessment

undertaken

• Identification and prioritisation of

the response measures based

on vulnerability assessment

• Addressing the underlying

causes of vulnerability

• Effectiveness of the responses

measures in reducing

vulnerability and enhancing

adaptive capacity

Work in progress

• Literature review of frameworks and indicators on progress

in implementation, effectiveness and evaluation of

adaptation response measures

• Establishment of climate change response adaptation M&E

Steering Committee comprising of key Sectors, Local

Government, Provinces, Academia and Scientists

• Development of indicators for M&E the transition to a

climate resilience society

Lessons learned • Need for ownership of the evaluation system by key

role players

– Need for defined coordination mechanisms, roles and

responsibilities at national and sub national aligned with

the mandates and priorities in policies/strategies of key

role players

– Need to explore embedding evaluation of policies in

planning or M&E units given the interdisciplinary nature

of adaptation

Lessons learned

• Need to define what will be M&E building on:

– Legislative requirements (This should not be limited to

the climate change act but should also include other

relevant acts from other key sectors)

– Priorities identified in plans and strategies of other key

sectors

– Existing institutional arrangements to support the

operationalisation of the CC response M&E system

Lessons learned

• Need for an action plan developed with key role

players in line with their legislative requirements,

policies and plans

• Recognition of the action plan at political level

• Availability of financial resources to fastrack the

implementation of the action plan

Lessons learned

• M&E frameworks and guidelines complex if the

national context is not well understood

• Formation of multi stakeholders (e.g science policy

practise, particularly the socio economic

dimensions) to support the design, implementation

and operationalisation of the evaluation system

Lessons learned

• Need for capacity building on the objectives and

added value of the evaluation system so that it is

not seen as another tool to evaluate performance of

stakeholders

Conclusion

• We welcome the opportunity to share good

practises and lessons learned in evaluation of

adaptation policies with Mexico

• Look forward to discussing common challenges and

opportunities for further collaboration

Email: tmakholela@environment.gov.za Tel: +27 12 399 9150