Applying the Evaluation Framework

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Introduction to LoCAL adaptation programme

\label{introduction-to-local-adaptation-programme}In what follows the integrated evaluation framework developed above is applied to measure the contribution of adaptation projects identified as part of the UNCDF project called Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL). LoCAL recognizes that many activities related to climate adaptation are part of local government’s mandates to invest and maintain water and sanitation facilities, establishing and enforcing zoning, managing natural resources and provide for basic infrastructure. However, in many least developed countries the financial capability of local governments is limited and financial resources come earmarked for recurring expenditures, leaving little for local governments’ own spending discretion. LoCAL then “recognizes that most existing funding for climate change adaptation remains in large-scale national projects and institutions or is done on a project basis through direct donor program funding without adequate and required integration with national planning systems and therefore of reduced sustainability” (UNCDF, 2012:2). By introducing Performance-based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRG) LoCAL aims at strengthening the ability of local governments to effectively use their mandates to respond to immediate and long-term climate change and natural disaster related threats. LoCAL grants “can be spent on ‘climate proofing’ existing infrastructure, such as raising the level of a bridge which is subject to floods, or equipping the existing road with better drainage pipes alongside it. Depending on the local circumstances, the PBCRG grants can also be used for investments that promote food security – such as water catchment systems that help farmers manage droughts – or investments for climate-related disaster risk reduction and preparedness” (UNCDF, 2011).

Adaptation interventions in LoCAL programme

\label{adaptation-interventions-in-local-programme} LoCAL’s activities aim at reducing vulnerability of local communities and at increasing their adaptive capacity. Currently pilot projects are being implemented in villages across Bhutan and Cambodia. LoCAL’s adaptation interventions cover a wide range of sectors including forestry, agriculture, livestock, health, infrastructure and also interventions related to community capacity building for climate change adaptation. In Bhutan 37% of the activities financed are under the agriculture sector, while in Cambodia 38% of all activities are related to infrastructural improvements (UNCDF, 2012). Some activities aim at increasing adaptive capacity of local communities (e.g. training and capacity building on climate change, vulnerability and mainstreaming climate change into local government planning) while others are adaptation actions (e.g. related to infrastructural improvements, diversification of crops, introduction of drought resilient crops varieties). Both activities can result in sustainable development outcomes; therefore these should also be tracked. An example of how indicators are categorised in LoCAL can be found in Table 1.

Illustrative example of evaluation of a selected LoCAL adaptation activity

llustrative-example-of-evaluation-of-a-selected-local-adaptation-activity} Figure 4 illustrates how the evaluation criteria have been integrated in the LFA incorporating also CCA activities with multiple objectives and outcomes. Figure 5 further depicts the selected indicators for the evaluation of the CCA activity of Restoring canal in Thnout commune in Cambodia (in the framework of LoCAL programme).