Linking climate change and development goals: framing, integrating, and measuring

Abstract

Although links exist between development targets, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and climate change goals of adaptation and mitigation, the nature and extent of those links have only been loosely explored in the literature. While efforts to integrate climate change adaptation into development are increasingly prevalent, gaps remain in understanding the specific relationships, potential synergies, and trade-offs in the integration process. This article reviews the links and identifies and analyses three main themes. First, the review suggests that tools are needed to more effectively capture interactions within decision-making processes, and proposes a framework for more focused analyses of these relationships. Second, the framework supports examination of the two sets of goals – development and climate – together, evaluating alternative policies and programmes for their outcomes and identifying key relationships between development, poverty alleviation, and climate goals in both present and future planning processes (such as the MDGs beyond 2015). Finally, by using analytical visualizations, policy and decision makers assisted by relevant stakeholders could identify potential synergies and trade-offs, propose adaptation and mitigation actions, and design appropriate measurements and evaluations. The framework is designed to help direct efforts toward policy and programme outcomes that can best support development and mitigation and adaptation to climate change goals.