Contents Overview
01
Implications for Coastal Iwi in Aotearoa
How this global framework applies to small coastal Māori communities in New Zealand.
02
Introduction
Background on the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience and the two-year work programme
03
Development Process
How 78 technical experts refined and developed the indicators through collaborative review
04
Indicator Set Description
Comprehensive overview of the 100 globally applicable indicators across all targets
05
Metadata Status
Assessment of methodologies, data availability, and disaggregation capabilities
06
Expert Reflections
Key insights and recommendations for implementation and future development
This report represents the culmination of extensive collaborative work by international experts to create a robust foundation for measuring climate adaptation progress globally.
Implications for Coastal Iwi in Aotearoa
Adapting Global Indicators for Iwi Contexts
For us, adapting global indicators means embedding them within our worldview. We can’t just import them wholesale. It's about taking these frameworks and making them relevant to our tikanga and our whakapapa to land and sea.
The Power of Mātauranga Māori
Mātauranga Māori, our traditional knowledge, is paramount. It offers crucial insights for climate adaptation measurement, often providing solutions that Western science is only beginning to understand. Our tupuna observed environmental shifts for generations; that knowledge is invaluable for today’s challenges.
Vulnerabilities of Coastal Iwi Communities
Our communities are inherently vulnerable. Sea level rise and coastal erosion threaten our homes, our urupā , and sacred cultural sites. These aren't just physical losses; they are deeply spiritual and cultural losses that impact our identity.
Iwi / Hapu Leading Local Adaptation Efforts
The Mauri Compass framework offers opportunities for hapu / iwi to lead. By aligning global indicators with our local needs and practices, we can drive adaptation efforts that are culturally appropriate and highly effective.
The Challenge of Scale
Applying global indicators to our small, isolated communities presents a scale challenge. What works for a nation might not directly apply to a hapū of a few hundred people. We need flexibility and a nuanced understanding of local realities.
Cultural Heritage and Traditional Knowledge Integration
Protecting our cultural heritage and integrating traditional knowledge isn't an add-on; it's fundamental. Our adaptation strategies must weave together modern science with ancient wisdom, safeguarding our past for future generations.
Practical Applications for Iwi / Hapu Climate Adaptation Planning
Practically, this framework can help us prioritise actions, secure funding, and demonstrate the impact of our efforts. It provides a common language for reporting while allowing for local methodologies to gather data that truly matters to us.
Indigenous Rights and Climate Adaptation
Finally, the intersection of Indigenous rights and climate adaptation measurement is critical. Our rights to self-determination and to protect our cultural landscapes must be at the forefront of any framework that seeks to measure climate progress.
It's about ensuring these global conversations genuinely serve and uplift those most directly impacted, allowing our voices and unique knowledge systems to shape the solutions for a resilient future.
Expert-Led Development Process
Collaborative Framework
The 78 experts were strategically allocated across eight expert groups - one for each thematic target and one for the adaptation cycle targets. Following guidance from CMA.6 in Baku, experts could participate in multiple groups to enhance cross-collaboration.
1
September 2024
Expert groups convened and began systematic review of 9,529 compiled indicators
2
March 2025
Hybrid workshop in Bonn facilitated peer review and collective assessment
3
August 2025
Final expert meeting in Nairobi refined indicators to 100 globally applicable measures
Experts invested substantial amounts of time beyond their regular responsibilities. Many participated across multiple time zones, with some attending climate negotiations in Baku and daily meetings in Bonn.
The dedication of these experts enabled the completion of this critical task, reducing indicators from 9,529 to a focused set of 100 globally applicable measures.
Template Structure and Components
Essential Information Categories
- Rationale and Relevance: Global applicability and adaptation significance
- Cross-Target Connections: Indicators relevant to multiple targets
- Metadata Status: Availability of methodologies and data sources
- Data Availability: Current status and accessibility of required data
- Measurement Units: Specific units or qualitative descriptors
- Means of Implementation: Access, quality, and finance considerations
- Operationalisation: Steps needed for Party reporting
The template was updated after SB62 to incorporate additional guidance from Parties, ensuring alignment with evolving requirements.
Adaptation Cycle Integration
Systematic Approach
The indicators connect climate impacts, risk context, adaptation actions, and measurable results through a logical framework that supports comprehensive monitoring and evaluation.
Assessment
Impact, vulnerability, and risk evaluation
Planning
National adaptation strategies and policies
Implementation
Action delivery and means of implementation
Monitoring
Evaluation and learning systems
Many indicators can be disaggregated across multiple dimensions, including social, livelihood, ecosystem, and geographic categories, enabling nuanced analysis of adaptation progress.
Water Supply and Sanitation Focus
The water-related indicators address the reality that most climate-related disasters are water-related, and most adaptation measures involve water in some form.
Climate-Induced Water Scarcity
Indicators measuring reduction in water stress and improved access to safe, affordable potable water
Water-Related Hazards
Resilience measures for floods, droughts, and emerging hazards like glacial lake outburst floods
Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
Water supply and sanitation systems designed to withstand climate impacts
These indicators draw from established global frameworks including the SDGs and Sendai Framework, whilst incorporating modifications to ensure relevance to climate resilience goals.
Health Impacts and Services
Comprehensive Health Protection
The health indicators address three critical dimensions of climate-health adaptation:
1
Impact Reduction
Monitoring progress in reducing climate-related morbidity and mortality from heat, infectious diseases, and occupational injuries
2
Service Resilience
Tracking coverage of essential health services and mental health support for climate-sensitive events
3
System Strengthening
Measuring early warning systems, vulnerability assessments, and health workforce capacity building
These indicators enable monitoring of both climate-related health risks and the effectiveness of adaptation measures, with emphasis on social and geographic disaggregation.
Infrastructure and Human Settlements
The seven infrastructure indicators focus on essential services and adaptive planning that reduces climate risks and impacts on communities, acknowledging both formal and informal settlement needs.
Essential Services Access
Adaptive basic infrastructure availability across diverse communities
Adaptive Planning
Climate-informed infrastructure and settlement planning processes
Community Input
Participatory design of adaptation plans and infrastructure
These indicators acknowledge the importance of adaptation planning for temperature goal overshoot scenarios and capture complex risk dynamics that may signal adaptation limits requiring transformative change.
Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Systems
The eight cultural heritage indicators focus on protection from climate-related risks whilst promoting the integration of traditional, Indigenous, and local knowledge systems in adaptation planning.
Tangible Heritage Protection
Climate adaptation measures for vulnerable heritage sites and infrastructure retrofitting
Intangible Heritage Resilience
Enhancing resilience of cultural practices and digitisation of vulnerable heritage
Policy Integration
Emergency preparedness plans and adaptation policies including heritage safeguarding
Capacity Building
Training programmes engaging Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge systems
These indicators emphasise climate-resilient infrastructure guided by traditional building practices and the meaningful engagement of Indigenous Peoples in heritage protection efforts.
National Adaptation Planning
The planning indicators assess the quality and comprehensiveness of national adaptation planning processes through three critical components.
1
2
3
1
Policy Integration
2
Inclusive Processes
3
Plan Existence
The indicators evaluate whether Parties have national adaptation plans and strategies, whether these are developed through participatory and gender-responsive processes, and whether adaptation considerations are systematically integrated into broader development frameworks.
These measures capture relevant enabling factors for adaptation implementation, focusing on policy and institutional structures that support long-term resilience building.
Metadata and Methodology Status
The expert assessment reveals that metadata is available for nearly a quarter of indicators, with established methodologies from global frameworks providing a strong foundation.
25%
Complete Metadata
Available with minor modifications expected
50%
Modification Required
Existing metadata needs adaptation-specific adjustments
25%
New Development
Completely new indicators requiring fresh methodologies
Key sources include SDG metadata repositories, Sendai Framework monitoring systems, and databases from FAO, WHO, UNFCCC, and other UN agencies. This foundation enables rapid operationalisation whilst ensuring consistency with established global monitoring systems.
