Enhancing the landscape of adaptation reporting: Recommendations for the UNFCCC adaptation committee- Submission of the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)

This submission by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) examines the effectiveness of adaptation reporting under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement through an analysis of three key reporting vehicles: Adaptation Communications (AdComs), National Adaptation Plan (NAP) progress reports, and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). Drawing on evidence from recent UNEP Adaptation Gap Reports, the paper identifies persistent challenges in adaptation reporting, including a strong emphasis on activities and outputs rather than measurable outcomes and resilience impacts, limited assessment of adaptation effectiveness, underrepresentation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in detailed reporting processes, and weak integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) considerations. While adaptation planning and reporting systems are becoming more established, substantial gaps remain in demonstrating reductions in climate vulnerability and enhanced resilience. The submission recommends strengthening national monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) systems, promoting results-oriented reporting, improving guidance on adaptation tracking, integrating the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (FGCR) targets into reporting frameworks, enhancing coherence across reporting instruments, and ensuring sustained technical and financial support for developing countries. These measures are essential to transform adaptation reporting from a compliance-driven exercise into a learning-oriented process that supports evidence-based decision-making, transparency, and accelerated climate resilience outcomes.