As the escalating impacts of climate change intensify, sectors vital to global food security, including agriculture, livestock, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture, are facing unprecedented challenges. Declining yields, disrupted supply chains, and heightened vulnerability to extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common. Further temperature increases threaten to exacerbate these issues, rendering current agricultural practices unsustainable and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, such as women, Indigenous Peoples, and small-scale food producers. While institutional frameworks like Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are in place, their effective implementation is often hindered by obstacles such as limited resources and technical capacity, particularly in developing countries. This necessitates the urgent development and deployment of practical tools to effectively bridge the gap between policy ambitions and tangible on-the-ground actions. These tools are crucial for empowering stakeholders to implement effective adaptation measures and address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.
This is where the Climate Action Review (CAR) Tool steps in. Developed collaboratively by the FAO and UNDP as part of the SCALA programme, the CAR Tool provides a vital link between practical, actionable steps and long-term strategic planning. It seamlessly integrates with established frameworks like NDCs, NAPs, and other climate commitments, ensuring a cohesive approach to climate action.
Click here to access the web CAR Tool interface
Click here to watch a short video about the CAR Tool
Understanding the Core Purpose of the CAR Tool
The primary purpose of the CAR tool is to equip national adaptation planners and practitioners with the practical guidance needed to move from high-level NDC and NAP planning to the actual implementation of locally relevant adaptation actions within the agriculture and land-use sectors. Ultimately, the CAR tool aims to foster transformative, system-wide change.
It offers a structured, step-by-step methodology for identifying concrete entry points for transformative change. This approach leverages adaptation actions already outlined in NDCs and NAPs, ensuring alignment with existing national strategies. The CAR tool is designed to be adaptable to diverse country contexts and strategic priorities, making it a versatile asset for various nations. Furthermore, it promotes evidence-based adaptation planning through the incorporation of participatory methods, ensuring local relevance and ownership.
Beyond immediate implementation, the CAR tool also serves a crucial “planning function.” It offers valuable insights into the strategic interventions that will be necessary for future adaptation efforts, enabling proactive and forward-thinking approaches. The tool is carefully aligned with international guidelines for NAP formulation and implementation, ensuring adherence to global best practices.
Who is the CAR Tool Designed For?
The Climate Action Review (CAR) Tool is specifically designed to provide targeted assistance to a range of stakeholders actively involved in climate change adaptation and agricultural development. Key users of the CAR tool include:
- NDC and NAP planners and focal points within government: These individuals are directly responsible for the development and implementation of national climate action plans.
- Senior policy or technical units in relevant ministries, departments, or agencies: This includes those supporting climate change and/or agriculture sector projects, providing technical expertise and policy guidance.
- Multilateral or bilateral organizations, civil society organizations, or financial institutions: These entities support country-driven climate action and NDC/NAP implementation in the agriculture and land-use sectors through funding, technical assistance, and capacity building initiatives.
Essentially, the CAR tool is for anyone involved in translating climate policy into practical action within the agricultural and land-use domains.
How Does the CAR Tool Function?
At its core, the CAR tool functions by assessing the potential impact of planned adaptation measures on enhancing the resilience of agrifood systems in the face of climate variability. This comprehensive assessment utilizes six key elements and 20 specific indicators of transformative climate action. The tool employs both quantitative and qualitative analyses to rigorously compare current adaptation actions with planned interventions, providing a clear picture of progress and areas for improvement.
The CAR tool follows a structured five-step process to guide users through the assessment and planning phases:
- Preparing for the consultative assessment: This initial step involves setting the stage for effective stakeholder engagement and data collection.
- Short-listing adaptation priorities from NDCs and NAPs for evaluation: This step focuses on selecting the most relevant and impactful adaptation priorities for in-depth analysis using the CAR tool.
- Mapping stakeholders for consultation: Identifying and engaging key stakeholders is crucial for ensuring a participatory and inclusive assessment process.
- Assessing the transformative potential of adaptation priorities: This is the core analytical step, where the CAR tool‘s indicators are used to evaluate the transformative potential of chosen adaptation priorities.
- Developing an actionable roadmap for implementing transformative climate actions in the agriculture and land-use sectors: The final step focuses on translating assessment findings into a concrete, practical roadmap for action, guiding implementation and resource mobilization.
The Comprehensive CAR Tool Handbook
To ensure users can effectively leverage the full potential of the CAR tool, a comprehensive handbook is readily available. This handbook serves as a detailed user guide, providing in-depth information and step-by-step instructions.
Click here to access the CAR Tool handbook
The CAR Tool Handbook is designed to:
- Provide a thorough understanding of the background and rationale for pursuing agricultural and land-use system transformation within the context of climate change, setting the stage for effective CAR tool application.
- Offer step-by-step guidance on practically applying the CAR Tool and interpreting the results. This ensures evidence-based adaptation planning using participatory methods, making the tool accessible and user-friendly.
- Present clear guidance on formulating actionable roadmaps for locally relevant NDC/NAP adaptation action programming. It also supports resource mobilization efforts to accelerate transformative climate action in the agriculture and land-use sectors, bridging the gap between planning and implementation.
In conclusion, the CAR Tool offers a vital and practical approach to empower climate action within the critical agriculture and land-use sectors. By providing a structured framework for assessment, planning, and implementation, the CAR tool helps nations translate policy into impactful action, building resilience and fostering sustainable development in the face of climate change.
