The Second Hands-on Training Programme on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of Climate Change Adaptation: Thailand
| Event | The Second Hands-on Training Programme on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of Climate Change Adaptation: Thailand |
|---|---|
| Date | 14 January 2025 |
| Venue | Department of Climate Change and Environment, Royal Thai Government |
| Organizers |
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Overall
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) successfully held the second hands-on training programme on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of climate change adaptation on 14th January 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. The training workshop aimed to promote and enhance the "Japan Adaptation Monitoring & Evaluation System (JAMES)," a web-based adaptation monitoring and evaluation tool available on AP-PLAT throughout the two times of training sessions (the first session was held in October 2024).
Following the first session, the second training session also obtained active participation from over 20 officers from the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE) within Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The training workshop started with the Opening Remark by Mrs. Chongrak Thinakul, Deputy Director General, Specialist of Promotion and Dissemination Department of Climate Change and Environment.
From IGES, a review of the first training session, the objectives of the second training session, and an explanation of the results of negotiations on the global goal for adaptation (GGA) at COP29 were provided. The lecture focused on content that would contribute to strengthening adaptation M&E in each country, and explained the main points, including an overview of the criteria set for selecting indicators to measure progress in achieving the GGA targets set out in the UAE Framework.
Challenges and solutions for adaptive M&E in Thailand
The theme of the first group discussion was “Challenges and solutions for adaptive M&E in Thailand”, and the flow was set up so that the participants would consider how to use JAMES in the solutions in the subsequent group work. The participants were divided into two groups: one group (Group 1) consisted mainly of staff who had participated in the first training session, and the other group (Group 2) consisted mainly of staff who had participated in the second training session. The participants used Google Slides to share their opinions, and representatives from each group made presentations.
The following opinions were expressed regarding the challenges of adaptation M&E in Thailand.
- The formulation of a national adaptation action plan is incomplete.
- Appropriate KPIs for implementing adaptation M&E have not been set.
- The data collection system for implementing adaptation M&E has not been established within the relevant organizations
- Detailed adaptation M&E methods have not been established
- Adaptation is a new theme, and responses differ depending on the context of the relevant fields
- Relevant sectors have not been informed about adaptation
- The following opinions were expressed as solutions to the above issues
- At the same time as formulating the action plan at the DCCE, awareness-raising activities should be conducted for relevant sectors
- Interpret the GGA at the national level and reflect it in Thailand's adaptation M&E system
- Develop a data collection and management system for implementing adaptation M&E
- Create a manual and handbook that shows how to implement adaptation M&E in Thailand
- Mainstream adaptation in various plans of related sectors
- Translate national-level adaptation activity plans into local-level activity plans
- Establish a data center for climate change adaptation
Using JAMES in implementing solutions
After setting aside time for JAMES exercises for staff who did not attend the first training, the trainers asked the participants to consider how JAMES could be used when implementing the solutions mentioned above, from both the perspective of alignment with the GGA and downscaling to the local level. We conducted group work using Google Slides in the same two-group structure as the first group work, and representatives from each group gave presentations.
The following opinions were expressed regarding the usefulness of JAMES in terms of national-level adaptation M&E and alignment with the GGA
- It would be useful to be able to identify the gap between the goals set out in the country's adaptation plan and the GGA through the JAMES system. By periodically identifying the gap, it would be possible to identify the capacity gap in the DCCE and take measures to address it.
- By conducting adaptive M&E using JAMES, it is possible to identify potential adaptation measures that are necessary for achieving the GGA. In particular, it is thought that this would be effective for sectors where mainstreaming adaptation is difficult, such as the tourism sector.
The following opinions were expressed regarding the usefulness of JAMES when scaling down national-level adaptation M&E to the local level
- JAMES can be used as a common tool when working with local government officials.
- The use of JAMES can be used to assess the current technical capacity of DCCEs and local governments in relation to adaptation M&E. The DCCEs can strengthen local capacity by providing training like this to local government officials.
Way forward
Through the two hands-on training sessions, the JAMES was well received and participants understood how to use it. The training sessions brought the participants the key priorities, including completing the formulation of a national adaptation action plan, developing appropriate KPIs, establishing a robust data collection and management system, and creating detailed methods and guidelines for adaptation M&E. In addition, efforts must focus on raising awareness about adaptation among relevant sectors, mainstreaming adaptation into sectoral and local plans, and aligning Thailand’s adaptation M&E framework with the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). The use of JAMES offers a valuable tool to identify gaps between national goals and the GGA, enabling targeted capacity-building efforts within the DCCE and other relevant institutions. They found that the JAMES can facilitate transfer adaptation M&E to local governments, assess technical capacity, and support scaling down national-level goals into actionable local plans. Moving forward, it is crucial to strengthen capacity through continued training, promote cross-sector integration of adaptation, and establish centralized data systems to ensure sustained progress. It might also be beneficial to exchange M&E related experiences through a peer-learning with neighboring countries.
(Posted : 19/Feb/2025)
