Adaptation task

Apply outcome indicators
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Apply outcome indicators

Outcome indicators are a measures of the immediate effect of an adaptation intervention on target groups and systems.

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Illustrative example of an 'outcome' indicator

An outcome of adaptation to climate change in the UK could be reflected in our ability to adapt to hotter summers. One aspect of our progress in adapting to these might be monitored through:

"the number of excess deaths from heat related illnesses during the hottest 3 months of the year"

Such an indicator might be analysed in a number of ways: it could be looked annually or over longer time periods. Limiting increases or observing a sustained decrease in such a number, in the face of increased heat, might reflect an increase in the UK's ability to adjust to our changing climate. However, such an outcome indicator could be influenced by a great variety of factors drawn from systems right cross society.

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References AP home Glossary

This section is based on the UNEP PROVIA guidance document

Criteria checklist

1. You want to monitor and evaluate implemented adaptation actions.
2. The purpose of the evaluation is clear.
3. The underlying principles and evaluation criteria have been established.
4. Appropriate indicator types have not been identified.
5. The evaluation is either (a) community scale, (b) cost-effectiveness based, or (c) no impact models are available to compute outcomes.
6. The stage of the implementation process that is being evaluated is ex post.