Metrics Program Summary 2014-2015

METRICSPROGRAM SUMMARY 2014-2015

FRAMEWORK NATURAL CAPITAL GOVERNANCE PRODUCTION DEMONSTRATION AND ROLL OUTHUMAN WELL-BEING RESOURCESINTRODUCTION DASHBOARDS

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Metrics for Conservation and Human Well-beingMeasurable indicators for mapping, monitoring and reporting on the status and trends of environmental and social systems.

For Conservation International, metrics are instrumental for identifying priorities, tracking progress towards our goals, and communicating the impact of our conservation efforts. Metrics give us the information needed to make smarter decisions to demonstrate CI’s and our partners’ contribution to building and supporting healthy, sustainable societies.

Information from our metrics are used for several purposes:

• To understand the existing state of natural and social systems and context of countries and regions where CI works to design appropriate strategies and investments

• To identify the most important places to prioritize our conservation actions and maximize our success

• To monitor and report on the progress and impact of CI and partners’ actions and strategies

With support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, a cross-divisional team of scientists and regional experts from across the organization have developed a conceptual framework of core metrics for conservation and human well-being. This framework is being applied in over 25 countries in which CI works with detailed demonstrations in two specific geographies – Cambodia and Madagascar.

Priority setting Implementation Monitoring

Consistent Metrics


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CI’S METRICS FRAMEWORKWe have created an institutional framework composed of core metrics which are aligned to the key components of CI’s strategy: conservation of important reservoirs of natural capital, promoting sustainable production, fostering good governance, and improved human well-being. These four complementary metrics are a ‘minimum set’: we believe true sustainability will only be achieved when trends across all four are stable or increasing over time.

NATURAL CAPITAL

GOOD GOVERNANCE

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION

LIVELIHOODS

CLIMATE STABILITY

BENEFITS TO PEOPLE

WATER

FOOD


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DASHBOARD

-2.3%

Terrestrial natural capital sustained

Sustainable policy effectiveness

36%Of existing natural capital sustained in protected areas

# Population affected by Extreme Weather Events

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1990 2000 2010

% Population Living Below $1.25/Day

0

25

50

75

100

1990 2000 2010

% Population with Access to Improved Water Source

0

25

50

75

100

1990 2000 2010

% Population Undernourished

0

25

50

75

100

1990 2000 2010

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Existing natural capital sustained in PAsExisting natural capitalTotal land area

NATURAL CAPITAL

PRODUCTION

GOVERNANCE HUMAN WELL-BEING

84%

annual change in efficiency

Overall policy effectiveness score

EXISTING NATURAL CAPITAL (FORESTS)

PROTECTED AREAS Marine natural capital sustained

Wild Caught Fisheries

Clean Waters

Habitat

Species

Scores, out of 100, from Ocean Health Index

0

145

290

435

580

0

3.05

6.1

9.15

12.2

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Output (million t) Impact (km² croplands)

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Soundness Implementation

2014 score Total possible score

CLIMATE RESILIENCE FRESHWATER

LIVELIHOODS FOOD SECURITY

88

84

75

23

mt km²

Agricultural crop output and cropland area

Summary of metrics for monitoring status of natural capital & human well-beingDashboards are used to present trend data and other information based upon CI's Metrics framework in a simple and consistent format. We have currently compiled dashboards for over 25 countries in which CI works with national indicators on the existing status of natural capital, governance, production, and human well-being. An example for Costa Rica is shown below. Additional dashboards and underlying datasets are available for download on CI's Metrics website: www.metricsci.org.

COSTA RICA Dashboard 2014

Map: Areas important for natural capital (forests) important for specific ecosystem services.


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http://www.metricsci.org

NATURAL CAPITAL

We identify important natural capital – a country’s most important natural sources of water, habitats for species, key areas for fisheries, ecosystems that buffer against storms, and other benefits – and track how well these are sustained over time.

To calculate this indicator, we compile spatial data on the extent and distribution of ecosystems providing important goods and services to people and set thresholds for those areas of highest importance to well-being, or the total extent of important natural capital. Where data are available, the indicator can be dis-aggregated according to areas important for different services including freshwater quality, biodiversity, coastal protection, or provision of wild food. Important areas are then compared to areas currently sustained through designation as a protected area, effective site management, or intact natural features, such as forest cover.

Indicator is expressed as a percentage and also visually presented in a map (see example) where spatial data available.

Map illustrating distribution of areas important in Madagascar for domestic water use relative to protected areas

Percentage of natural capital sustained through protection, improved management or restoration.


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GOVERNANCE

Without the right policies and effective institutions to implement them, a nation’s natural capital cannot long endure. We measure effective governance by the relative soundness, implementation and enforcement of national and subnational policies intended to regulate, govern and sustainably manage natural capital and ensure equitable access to and sharing of benefits from natural resources.

We developed a new tool, a qualitative scorecard, to assess relevant national policies. We use the scorecard to track effectiveness of national governments and their stewardship of natural capital. Scores are then compared within a country year to year to monitor progress in maintaining or fostering good governance.

We use a scorecard to assess relevant national policies and track effectiveness of national governments and their stewardship of natural capital.

Score of national policy effectiveness for environmental sustainability

FY14 Score Card / Total Possible Score 209 450

DASHBOARDLevel of Soundness

114Level of Implementation

95

SOUNDNESS IMPLEMENTATION

Example: COSTA RICA Country Scorecard 2014 Results

Sustainable policy effectivenessGOVERNANCE

84%Overall policy effectiveness score

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Soundness Implementation

2014 score Total possible score


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PRODUCTION

Historically, nothing has compromised natural capital more than production systems – how we produce and harvest food, energy and raw materials. Although production varies among countries, we track two essential trends that can be applied anywhere: the extent to which production increases (or stays the same), and the extent to which the impact of production on natural capital decreases (or stays the same).

We focus first on three key sectors: agriculture, fisheries and extractives. To calculate the indicators for each sector, we compile global and national data on the extent and distribution of production outputs annually, e.g., tonnes of crops produced, and information on impacts, e.g., area of land under production or tonnes of water consumed for crop production.

Photos by Benjamin Drummond

Volume of output by production sector Extent of impact of sector on natural capital


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HUMAN WELL-BEING

Our ultimate goal is the well-being of people - individuals, communities, societies, all humanity. We monitor broadly the overall state of well-being across four dimensions (see table below) and specifically, the contribution of natural capital to improved well-being. For each of these four dimensions, we monitor broadly the overall state of human well-being at national level and specifically, the contribution of nature to improved well-being.

At the subnational level, we monitor the relationship between human well-being and nature, in particular freshwater provision, food security, climate stability, and livelihoods. Where spatial and consistent data are available at national scale, we compile quantitative indices of human well-being using statistical modeling to understand variation and linkages across districts or regions.

Overall national status of well-being

Freshwater provision I Percentage of population with access to improved water source Food security I Percentage of population undernourished Climate stability I Number of people affected by extreme weather events Livelihoods I Percentage of population living below $1.25/day

Number of people, households or communities that are benefitting from sustained natural capital

INDICATORS: National status of human well-being


Photo by Art Wolfe

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DEMONSTRATION AND ROLLOUTDashboards compiled on the status of natural capital, governance, production and human well-being for 26 countries where CI is currently working. Indicators were calculated using data primarily from existing datasets.

Detailed national-level application of metrics framework in Cambodia and Madagascar are underway. Further analyses are being applied to quantify contribution of CI sites to sustaining natural capital across a broad set of ecosystem services.

Results from demonstration aim to inform program planning and management by CI country programs, and to potentially influence the national policies and strategies, such as the National Green Growth Policy recently adopted by the national government of Cambodia. Furthermore, field-testing will support further refinement of the metrics framework and its application. Adaptation of CI's Metrics framework for subnational application is currently ongoing in seven pilot countries where CI works. This initiative will use metrics to support progress towards healthy, sustainable geographies in key priority landscapes and seascapes.


Photo by Benjamin Drummond

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FURTHER RESOURCESThe CI Metrics program has generated a number of products including dashboards, maps of priority areas, new datasets on governance and other values, technical guidance, blog posts and scientific publications.

Website For more information on the products and latest activities please visit www.metricsci.org

Case studies and other publications The program is currently preparing technical guidance which defines and articulates methods for calculating CI Metrics across a range of geographic contexts and data capacities. Case studies for detailed demonstrations will be available in early 2015 with upcoming scientific publications also in development.

Contacts Madeleine Bottrill, Ph.D. Senior Director, Monitoring & Evaluation +1 (703) 341-2748 [email protected]

MISSION Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity.

VISION We imagine a healthy, prosperous world in which societies are forever committed to caring for and valuing nature, for the long-term benefit of people and all life on Earth.

Conservation International 2011 Crystal Drive Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22202


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METRICS FOR SMART DECISION MAKINGConservation International applies a framework of consistent measurable indicators across our global programs to guide where we invest, monitor our progress, and communicate our results

26COUNTRIES

AND COUNTING

PLANNING MONITORING IMPACT


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Documents

Metrics Program Summary 2014-2015