Climate Rationale
Connect climate evidence to the proposed response.
A climate rationale explains the relationship between climate change, the problem being addressed and the proposed investment. This service develops that relationship into a documented argument for project design and funding review.
Climate Rationale
Connect climate evidence to the proposed response.
The question the rationale must answer
For an adaptation project, explain how climate conditions affect people, assets or ecosystems and why the proposed measures reduce the relevant risks. For a mitigation project, establish the emissions baseline and how the intervention changes it. The analysis must match the project’s location, timeframe and decision.
Scope of the analysis
- Review observed conditions, projections or emissions data and record their geographic and methodological limits.
- Examine exposure, vulnerability and relevant non-climate pressures, with attention to affected groups and local knowledge.
- Describe the situation without the project and compare the proposed response with plausible alternatives.
- Connect the evidence to activities, expected results and indicators; make assumptions and uncertainty explicit.
What the client receives
A written climate rationale, supporting evidence tables, source references and a diagram linking the problem to the proposed response. The package identifies remaining data gaps, assumptions and specialist studies required to support the project.
Information needed to begin
The project concept, geographic boundary, expected beneficiaries, available technical studies and the funding requirements under consideration. Local evidence is assessed alongside wider climate information.
Limits of the analysis
The scope covers analysis and synthesis of available information. New climate modelling, engineering design or field data collection requires a separate agreed scope and appropriate specialists. Uncertainty is described and carried into project decisions.
- Indicative duration
- 2 to 4 weeks
- Limit
- Distinguishes established findings, reasoned inference and client assumptions.
Preparation
The evidence should change a decision
A climate projection matters when it helps choose a location, compare measures or set an operating rule. The analysis explains that connection and tests whether uncertainty could change the choice. For emissions-reduction projects, the same discipline applies to the baseline and the proposed reduction.
