Evaluation at FAO

Evaluations in climate change negotiations

08/11/2022

Climate change threatens our ability to ensure global food security, eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activity and livestock are a significant driver of climate change, trapping heat in the earth's atmosphere and triggering global warming.

Climate change has both direct and indirect effects on agricultural productivity including changing rainfall patterns, drought, flooding and the geographical redistribution of pests and diseases. The vast amounts of CO₂ absorbed by the oceans causes acidification, influencing the health of our oceans and those whose livelihoods and nutrition depend on them. FAO is supporting countries to both mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change through a wide range of research based and practical programmes and projects, as an integral part of the 2030 agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The 27th Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the UNFCCC hosted by Egypt in Sharm el-Sheikh from 6-18 November 2022. Global food security and priority areas relevant to FAO’s mandate are high on this year's agenda. FAO is actively engaged in the climate conference, leading and co-leading events and supporting member countries with technical advice both within and outside the climate negotiations. 

COP26 showed how the global response continues to struggle to meet its commitments and keep pace with escalating climate threats. At the same time, there are also gaps and shortcomings in evidence of and reporting on commitments, undermining the credibility of the COP process and, ultimately, actual progress made on climate change action. This is where evaluation needs to play a far greater role and help to place evaluative evidence firmly in the picture.