Technical Policy Briefing Notes - 6
Multi-Criteria Analysis
Discussion and Applicability
Policy Briefs
Multi-Criteria Analysis
Discussion and Applicability
The review and case studies provide a number
of practical lessons on the application of multicriteria analysis to
adaptation. They provide useful information on the types of adaptation
problem types where MCA might be appropriate, as well as data needs,
resource requirements and good practice.
MCA has broad applicability to adaptation, and can be applied for both project and policy level applications to look at alternative options or choices.
It has very broad sector applicability, though it is particularly useful for sectors which involve nonmarket elements (e.g. biodiversity), or where there are important criteria for which only qualitative information is available. The potential for stakeholder inputs and their use in a decision framework also allows application where quantitative information is low.
The review identifies that MCA is a very good starting point for identifying and ranking adaptation options for climate change, i.e. to select promising options that can then be subject to more detailed appraisal.
It can also be used to complement more formal economic analysis, i.e. to combine existing economic assessment of costs and benefits within a wider framework that allows other criteria to be directly compared.
The review identifies the importance of stakeholder consultation and engagement, and good practice examples highlight the importance of expert input, and the careful choice of the criteria.
MCA has broad applicability to adaptation, and can be applied for both project and policy level applications to look at alternative options or choices.
It has very broad sector applicability, though it is particularly useful for sectors which involve nonmarket elements (e.g. biodiversity), or where there are important criteria for which only qualitative information is available. The potential for stakeholder inputs and their use in a decision framework also allows application where quantitative information is low.
The review identifies that MCA is a very good starting point for identifying and ranking adaptation options for climate change, i.e. to select promising options that can then be subject to more detailed appraisal.
It can also be used to complement more formal economic analysis, i.e. to combine existing economic assessment of costs and benefits within a wider framework that allows other criteria to be directly compared.
The review identifies the importance of stakeholder consultation and engagement, and good practice examples highlight the importance of expert input, and the careful choice of the criteria.
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