Download all Technical Policy Briefing Notes in a single ... - Mediation

Key Messages• There is increasing interest in the appraisal ofoptions, as adaptation moves from theory topractice. In response, a number of existingand new decision support tools are beingconsidered, including methods that addressuncertainty.• The FP7 MEDIATION project has undertaken adetailed review of these tools, and has testedthem in a series of case studies. It hasassessed their applicability for adaptation andanalysed how they consider uncertainty. Thefindings have been used to provideinformation and guidance for the MEDIATIONAdaptation Platform and are summarised in aset of policy briefing notes.• One of the tools widely recommended foradaptation is Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA).MCA is an approach that allows considerationof both quantitative and qualitative data in theranking of alternative options.• The approach provides a systematic methodfor assessing and scoring options against arange of decision criteria, some of which areexpressed in physical or monetary units, andsome which are qualitative. The variouscriteria can then be weighted to provide anoverall ranking of options. These steps areundertaken using stakeholder consultationand/or expert input.• MCA has been widely applied in theenvironmental domain. It is also used as acomplementary tool to support cost-benefitanalysis, to consider the performance ofoptions against criteria that may be difficult tovalue or involve qualitative aspects.• The approach has high relevance foradaptation. Criteria can be included toconsider uncertainty or various elements ofgood adaptation, and the approach brings theflexibility to work with qualitative information,which is particularly useful given there areoften data gaps.• The review has considered the strengths andweakness of the approach for adaptation. Themain strength is that it allows consideration ofboth quantitative and qualitative datatogether, and can compare monetary andnon-monetary criteria directly. This allows theconsideration of a much broader set of criteriathan other approaches.• The potential weaknesses involve the fact thatthe scoring and weighting can be quitesubjective, influenced by the stakeholdersinvolved in the process. The consideration ofuncertainty is also usually more qualitative.• Previous applications of MCA for adaptationhave been reviewed, and adaptation casestudies are summarised. MCA has been usedas the main decision support tool in earlynational adaptation policy analysis, but hasalso been used alongside CBA in adaptationproject appraisal to consider broader criteriaand aspects.• The review and case studies provide usefulinformation on the types of adaptationproblem types where MCA might beappropriate, as well as data needs, resourcerequirements and good practice lessons.MCA is particularly applicable in areas wherequantification is difficult, or for sectors wherebroader objectives are important. Theapproach is considered particularly useful toidentify promising options, which can then besubject to more detailed appraisal.