The effectiveness of climate change adaptation has seldom been evaluated, because actions have only recently been initiated and comprehensive evaluation metrics do not yet exist.

This finding is from chapter 28 of Climate Change Impacts in the United States: The Third National Climate Assessment.

Process for developing key messages: A central component of the process were bi-weekly technical discussions held from October 2011 to June 2012 via teleconference that focused on collaborative review and summary of all technical inputs relevant to adaptation (130+) as well as additional published literature, the iterative development of key messages, and the final drafting of the chapter. An in-person meeting was held in Washington, D.C., in June 2012. Meeting discussions were followed by expert deliberation of draft key messages by the authors and targeted consultation with additional experts by the lead author of each key message. Consensus was reached on all key messages and supporting text.

Description of evidence base: The key message and supporting text summarize extensive evidence documented in the peer-reviewed literature as well as the more than 130 technical inputs received and reviewed as part of the Federal Register Notice solicitation for public input. Numerous peer-reviewed publications indicate that no comprehensive adaptation evaluation metrics exist, meaning that no substantial body of literature or guidance materials exist on how to thoroughly evaluate the success of adaptation activities.65ce3b87-d63b-4582-a9b5-f25510b64e97 4739fda9-9431-4cb3-8572-5f992fd61519 e49f5471-72a0-4922-ade9-d1f5bafcf68b 94a7e73a-f733-42d4-be5a-5bd6d861a6e4 This is an emerging area of research. A challenge of creating adaptation evaluation metrics is the growing interest in mainstreaming; this means that separating out adaptation activities from other activities could prove difficult. Additional citations are used in the text of the chapter to substantiate this key message.

New information and remaining uncertainties: n/a

Assessment of confidence based on evidence: n/a

References :

• Land Use and Land Cover National Stakeholder Workshop Technical Report. Report prepared for 2013 National Climate Assessment (94a7e73a)
• Climate of the Southeast United States: Variability, Change, Impacts, and Vulnerability (4739fda9)
• Adapting to Impacts of Climate Change. America’s Climate Choices: Report of the Panel on Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change (65ce3b87)
• Rural Communities Workshop Technical Report to the 2013 National Climate Assessment (e49f5471)