The top 3 things to consider when selecting biodiversity indicators for your M&E strategy

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Designing a scientifically robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategy to measure the impact of a project on biodiversity against a baseline is crucial. Yet with so many potential indicators, choosing indicators adapted to your project’s activities, location, technical capacity and budget remains challenging.

Here are 3 key considerations:

Project focus (theory of change): Clearly define your project’s goals and the socio-ecological aspects it aims to influence. Consider both direct and indirect outcomes, ensuring your indicators track the specific changes you’re working towards.

Baseline: Analyse existing data on the area’s socio-ecological conditions, accounting for natural variations. This sets the benchmark against which you will measure progress.

Scale matters: Think about the timeframe and geographic area your project is expected to impact. Choose indicators sensitive enough to capture changes at the appropriate scale, ensuring they reflect the project’s impact over time.

 

Selecting indicators is an ongoing process.

Here are additional factors to consider when designing your M&E strategy:

  • Data availability: Can you leverage existing data or monitoring programs to streamline data collection?
  • Infrastructure needs: Does your strategy require specific equipment or lab facilities? Ensure you have the resources to gather the necessary data.
  • Technical expertise: Are there skilled personnel available in the area, or will training be needed?
  • Cost-effectiveness: Balance the cost of collecting data with the value of the information it provides for evaluating your project’s impact.

 

The Nature-based Insights team provide insights into biodiversity metrics (single measures, composite metrics, indices), aiming to provide a clear understanding of metrics aligned with:

Emerging engagement frameworks, for example Science Based Targets Network, Natural Capital Protocol, Accountability Framework initiative, Partnership for Biodiversity Accounting Financials

Reporting frameworks, for example The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, Carbon Disclosure Project, Global Reporting Initiative

Methodologies, such as Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative aligned high integrity carbon and biodiversity credits

Regulatory requirements e.g. CSRD, EUDR, EFRAG (EU), JFSA (Japan), SEBI (India).

 

 

July 15, 2024