Climate Adaptation, Resilience and Implications for Coastal Iwi

Climate Adaptation, Resilience and Implications for Coastal Iwi
Prepared by Ian Ruru, 1 of 78 international experts under the UAE-Belém Work Programme.

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.

Introduction to the UAE Framework
Decision 2/CMA.5 adopted the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, establishing a comprehensive approach to achieving the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). This landmark framework defines eleven critical targets that guide global climate adaptation efforts.
Seven Thematic Targets
Covering water, food, health, ecosystems, infrastructure, poverty, and cultural heritage
Four Adaptation Cycle Targets
Addressing assessment, planning, implementation, and monitoring dimensions
Two-Year Work Programme
UAE-Belém initiative to develop comprehensive indicators for measuring progress
The Chairs of the Subsidiary Bodies convened 78 technical experts to support the development of indicators, drawing on submissions from Parties and stakeholders as well as national reports to the UNFCCC. This collaborative approach ensures the indicators reflect diverse global perspectives and expertise.
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.
Comprehensive Indicator Framework
The expert group developed a standardised template providing comprehensive information for each of the 100 indicators. This systematic approach ensures consistency and enables meaningful comparison across targets and regions.
1
Indicator Identification
Unique ID system starting with target number followed by serial number (e.g., 9a01)
2
Disaggregation Levels
Multiple dimensions including social, geographic, and sectoral breakdowns for enhanced granularity
3
Target Mapping
Clear alignment with specific sub-components of the eleven UAE Framework targets
4
Detailed Descriptions
Comprehensive definitions and qualitative context for proper interpretation
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.
Dramatic Indicator Refinement
The expert group achieved a remarkable reduction of nearly 80% in the number of indicators, from 490 to 100, whilst maintaining comprehensive coverage of all targets.
This systematic refinement process involved rigorous peer review, elimination of redundancy, and careful prioritisation to ensure each indicator provides meaningful, actionable information for measuring adaptation progress.
1
Compilation
Gathered submissions from Parties and stakeholders
2
Analysis
Expert groups reviewed against established criteria
3
Refinement
Reduced redundancy and enhanced global applicability
Target Distribution Overview
The 100 indicators are strategically distributed across the eleven targets, with each thematic target receiving balanced coverage whilst adaptation cycle targets reflect their specific requirements.
10
Water & Sanitation
Addressing climate-induced water scarcity and resilience
10
Food & Agriculture
Production, supply chains, and nutrition outcomes
10
Health Services
Climate-related morbidity and healthcare resilience
10
Ecosystems
Biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions
7
Infrastructure
Essential services and adaptive planning
9
Poverty & Livelihoods
Protecting vulnerable populations and assets
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.
Indigenous Knowledge Integration
Responding to Decision 3/CMA.6, the indicators emphasise the importance of traditional knowledge, Indigenous Peoples' knowledge, and local knowledge systems throughout the adaptation measurement framework.
Cultural Heritage Protection
Indicators specifically address climate-resilient preservation of cultural practices and heritage sites
Knowledge Systems Integration
Measures for incorporating Indigenous and local knowledge into adaptation planning
Participatory Processes
Indicators tracking meaningful engagement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities
This integration ensures that adaptation measurement recognises and values diverse knowledge systems whilst promoting inclusive approaches to climate resilience building.
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.
Food and Agriculture Systems
The ten food and agriculture indicators provide a balanced mix of action- and impact-oriented measures that track the complete agricultural value chain response to climate challenges.
Production Systems
Adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices and technologies
Supply & Distribution
Resilient food systems and distribution networks
Nutrition Outcomes
Food security and nutritional status indicators
Five indicators focus on adaptation responses including institutional frameworks and investments, whilst five track climate impacts on agricultural productivity, losses, and food insecurity prevalence.
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.
Ecosystems and Biodiversity Conservation
The ecosystem indicators recognise that healthy ecosystems serve as buffers to increasing climate hazards, providing critical natural infrastructure for climate resilience.
Terrestrial Systems
Forest conservation and restoration measures
Wetland Protection
Coastal and inland water ecosystem resilience
Mountain Ecosystems
High-altitude biodiversity and watershed protection
Nature-Based Solutions
Ecosystem-based adaptation implementation
Conservation Areas
Expanding protected and conserved areas
The indicators incorporate IUCN Red List methodologies and align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, capturing substantial economic and social co-benefits.
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.
Poverty Eradication and Livelihoods
The nine poverty and livelihoods indicators recognise that reducing poverty and protecting livelihoods is fundamental for enabling resilience across all sectors.
Impact Monitoring
Three indicators track climate change impacts on poverty eradication efforts
Protective Measures
Six indicators measure policies reducing climate impacts on livelihoods
Labour Force Diversification
Measures supporting economic resilience through diverse employment opportunities
Financial Protection
Access to finance, climate risk insurance, and adaptive social protection systems
Private Sector Adaptation
Business and enterprise climate resilience measures
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.
Impact and Risk Assessment Framework
The ten assessment indicators align with the four pillars of multi-hazard early warning systems, providing comprehensive risk knowledge and preparedness capabilities.
Disaster Risk Knowledge
Climate hazard, impact, and exposure assessments forming the foundation for informed decision-making
Observation & Monitoring
Systematic data collection and analysis systems for climate-related risks
Warning Dissemination
Communication systems ensuring timely and accessible risk information
Response Capabilities
Preparedness measures and institutional capacity for effective climate response
These indicators can be disaggregated across thematic targets and sectors, measuring elements relevant to all other targets whilst tracking international support for climate information systems.
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.
Implementation and Cross-Target Indicators
The implementation target includes both progress measurement and comprehensive cross-target indicators for means of implementation that apply across all targets.
Implementation Progress
Four indicators measuring advancement in implementing national adaptation plans and resulting impact reduction
Finance Indicators
Four indicators covering adaptation costs, international public finance, annual expenditure, and private sector finance
Capacity Building
Two indicators tracking institutional arrangements and adaptive capacity development
Technology Transfer
One indicator measuring implementation of identified adaptation technology needs
Means of Implementation Options
Recognising the political complexity of means of implementation, three cross-target indicators include multiple options for Party consideration, particularly regarding international finance flows.
These options reflect different approaches to measuring international public finance for adaptation, acknowledging that resolution requires political rather than technical decisions.
Cross-target indicators should be disaggregated across thematic targets and sectors, as they are critical for achieving all adaptation goals.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
The five MEL indicators measure both system development and institutional capacity for effective adaptation monitoring, recognising that robust MEL systems typically require several years to develop and operationalise.
Institutional Capacity
Policy Integration
Findings Publication
System Operation
System Development
The indicators differentiate development stages and emphasise inclusive processes involving vulnerable groups and Indigenous Peoples in MEL system design and implementation.
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.
Data Availability and Disaggregation
Data availability assessment shows promising foundations, with nearly 30% of indicators having available data and over 60% having partial availability requiring methodological adjustments.
Social Categories
Sex, age, disability, migration status, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities
Thematic Targets
Disaggregation across all eleven UAE Framework targets
Geographic Distribution
Rural/urban, national/local, river basins, and ecosystem boundaries
Climate Hazards
Breakdown by specific climate-related risks and impacts
Expert Reflections and Future Directions
The 78 experts emphasise that successful implementation requires coordinated global action across multiple dimensions, from methodology enhancement to capacity building.
1
Immediate Actions
Enhance methodologies, develop technical guidance, and strengthen Party capacities for data collection
2
Institutional Collaboration
Partner with custodian agencies and statistical offices to reduce reporting burden and ensure coherence
3
Continuous Evolution
Regular reviews aligned with Global Stocktake cycles to maintain relevance and incorporate emerging science
"The work on indicators under the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience provides an opportunity globally to do both meaningful work and open the space for more innovative work around adaptation measurement to track progress and gaps on adaptation under the Paris Agreement."
This comprehensive indicator framework represents a significant step forward in global climate adaptation measurement, providing the foundation for evidence-based progress tracking towards the Global Goal on Adaptation.
Our Expert Contributors
We extend our sincere gratitude to the 78 international experts whose dedication and invaluable expertise were instrumental in developing the climate adaptation indicators under the UAE-Belém Work Programme. Their profound knowledge and commitment have laid a strong foundation for robust global climate resilience measurement.