Guidelines for Applying the Climate and Ecosystems Health Criterion in the Commissioning, Design, and Implementation of Evaluations

There is increasing recognition internationally of the threats faced by humanity as a result of global warming and the breakdown of climate stability and natural ecosystems, and that it is the poorest and most vulnerable who are most seriously impacted. There is also greater understanding that people and natural ecosystems form a single inter-dependent system, and that human activities – particularly unsustainable consumption and production practices – are contributing significantly to the environmental crisis. The United Nations make it clear that urgent action needs to be taken at local, national and global levels to make the changes necessary to slow down or halt these processes and repair the damage already done. There is also a growing recognition that we have to move towards social and economic practices that are regenerative – that is, which align or harmonise with and support the natural ecosystems with which they are engaged – and that bring about social justice and equity for all.