Climate change is no longer a distant threat; its escalating impacts are disrupting crucial sectors worldwide. Agriculture, livestock management, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture are all experiencing reduced productivity, supply chain vulnerabilities, and increased exposure to extreme weather events. As temperatures continue to rise, these challenges will intensify, rendering current agricultural practices unsustainable and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including women, Indigenous Peoples, and small-scale food producers. Just as a car is a tool for transportation, we need effective tools for climate action.
While institutional frameworks like Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are in place, their implementation is often hampered by limited resources and technical capacity, particularly in developing countries. Therefore, the urgent need is for practical tools that can bridge the gap between policy intentions and tangible actions on the ground. These tools should empower stakeholders to implement effective adaptation measures and navigate the complexities of climate change. In this context, can we consider a strategic instrument for change, a ‘car’ if you will, in driving climate action?
Enter the Climate Action Review (CAR) Tool, a resourceful initiative developed by the FAO and UNDP as part of the SCALA programme. This tool effectively merges practical methodologies with long-term planning and implementation strategies, aligning with NDCs, NAPs, and other critical climate commitments. Just as a car is a tool to navigate physical landscapes, the CAR Tool is designed to navigate the complex landscape of climate adaptation.
Click here to access the web CAR Tool interface
What Exactly is the CAR Tool Designed to Do?
The primary purpose of the CAR Tool is to equip national adaptation planners and practitioners with actionable guidance. It facilitates the crucial transition from high-level NDC and NAP planning to the actual implementation of locally relevant adaptation actions within the agriculture and land-use sectors. This transition is vital for fostering transformative, system-wide change. Thinking of “Is A Car A Tool,” we can see the CAR Tool as an essential instrument, much like a car is a tool for mobility, for enabling movement towards climate resilience.
The CAR Tool provides a practical, step-by-step framework for identifying key entry points for transformative change. It draws directly from adaptation actions already outlined within NDCs and NAPs. Its adaptability is a significant strength, allowing it to be tailored to diverse country contexts and specific strategic priorities. Furthermore, the tool promotes evidence-based adaptation planning through inclusive participatory methods. Much like a car is a tool that needs to be adapted to different terrains, the CAR Tool is designed to be adaptable to different national contexts.
Beyond immediate implementation, the CAR Tool also functions in a “planning capacity.” It offers valuable insights into strategic interventions that will be necessary for future adaptation endeavors. This forward-thinking approach ensures alignment with international guidelines for NAP formulation and implementation, creating a robust and sustainable adaptation planning process. If we consider “is a car a tool for progress?”, then the CAR Tool is undoubtedly a tool for progressive climate adaptation planning.
Who Benefits from Using the CAR Tool?
The Climate Action Review (CAR) Tool is specifically designed to be a valuable resource for a range of stakeholders involved in climate action and sustainable development. Just as different drivers use a car for various purposes, the CAR Tool serves diverse users in the climate action space:
- NDC and NAP planners and focal points within government: These individuals, responsible for national-level climate strategies, can utilize the CAR Tool to translate broad plans into concrete actions.
- Senior policy or technical units in relevant ministries, departments, or agencies: Those working in agriculture and related sectors can leverage the tool to support climate change projects and integrate adaptation into sector-specific policies.
- Multilateral or bilateral organizations, civil society, or financial institutions: Organizations supporting country-driven climate action and NDC/NAP implementation in agriculture and land-use sectors will find the CAR Tool invaluable for ensuring effective and impactful interventions. Just as a car is a tool used by many for transport, the CAR Tool is a collaborative tool for multiple stakeholders.
How Does the CAR Tool Operate?
The core functionality of the CAR Tool centers on evaluating the potential impact of planned adaptation measures. It assesses how these measures can enhance the resilience of agrifood systems in the face of climate variability. This assessment framework utilizes six key elements and 20 indicators of transformative climate action. It employs both quantitative and qualitative analyses to provide a comprehensive comparison between current adaptation actions and planned initiatives. In essence, it’s like using diagnostic tools on a car to assess its performance, but here we are assessing climate action plans.
The CAR Tool follows a structured five-step process:
- Preparing for the consultative assessment: This initial step ensures that the groundwork is laid for a productive and inclusive assessment process.
- Short-listing adaptation priorities from NDCs and NAPs for evaluation: This step focuses the assessment on the most relevant and impactful adaptation priorities identified in national plans.
- Mapping stakeholders for consultation: Identifying and engaging key stakeholders is crucial for ensuring a participatory and comprehensive assessment.
- Assessing the transformative potential of adaptation priorities: This is the core analytical step, where the tool’s indicators are used to evaluate the transformative potential of chosen adaptation actions.
- Developing an actionable roadmap for implementing transformative climate actions in the agriculture and land-use sectors: The final step translates the assessment findings into a concrete roadmap for action, guiding implementation efforts. Just as a car’s GPS guides a journey, this roadmap guides climate action implementation.
The CAR Tool Handbook: Your User Guide
To facilitate effective utilization of the CAR Tool, users have access to a comprehensive handbook. This handbook serves as a detailed guide, unlocking the full potential of the tool and ensuring users can navigate its features with confidence.
Click here to access the CAR Tool handbook
The handbook is designed to achieve several key objectives:
- Provide insight into the background and rationale for agricultural and land-use system transformation within the context of climate change: It contextualizes the tool within the broader challenges of climate change and the need for systemic change.
- Offer step-by-step guidance on applying the CAR Tool and interpreting results: The handbook provides practical, user-friendly instructions on how to use the tool effectively and understand the outputs.
- Present guidance on formulating actionable roadmaps for locally relevant NDC/NAP adaptation action programming and resource mobilization: It assists users in translating the tool’s findings into concrete action plans and strategies for resource mobilization. Think of the handbook as the owner’s manual for your “climate action car,” providing all the instructions needed for effective use.
