The document summarizes proposals for improving the definitions of the Rio markers for climate change mitigation and adaptation used in OECD development finance statistics. For the mitigation marker, proposals include introducing sector-specific general principles and references to greenhouse gas savings in the criteria, as well as additional examples from MDB positive lists. For the adaptation marker, proposals include using the three-step approach from MDBs to define criteria and introducing additional sectoral examples highlighting climate vulnerability and adaptation activities. Clarification is suggested for distinguishing principal from significant targets, such as setting a minimum budget threshold for principal. Automatically marking environment-targeted projects as environment-related is also proposed to reduce reporting errors.

1. Second Experts’ Meeting of the
ENVIRONET-WP-STAT Task Team
on OECD Rio Markers, Environment &
Development Finance Statistics

2. First proposals for improvements
to the Rio marker definitions (RD 5)

3. Outline
1. What elements in the definitions should remain
unchanged
2. Proposed adjustments to the mitigation marker
(Option 8)
3. Proposed adjustments to the adaptation marker
(Option 9)
4. Clarification for distinguishing between principal
and significant
5. Automatic marking of Rio-marked projects against
the Environment marker (Option 11)

4. 1. What elements in the definitions should
remain unchanged
 The methodology is purpose-based (indicates
donors’ policy objectives)
 The definitions are widely accepted.
 The scoring system has three values: principal,
significant, not targeted.
=> the objective is not to change the methodology
fundamentally but to make adjustments to reduce
room for interpretation and improve
comparability in reporting.

5. 2. Proposed adjustments to the mitigation marker
(Option 8)
DEFINITION
Current:
An activity should be classified as climate-change-mitigation related (score
Principal or Significant) if:
It contributes to the objective of stabilisation of greenhouse gas (GHG)
concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous
anthropogenic interference with the climate system by promoting efforts to
reduce or limit GHG emissions or to enhance GHG sequestration.
Proposed adjustments:
None

6. 2. Proposed adjustments to the mitigation marker (O8)
CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY
Current: The activity contributes to
a) the mitigation of climate change by limiting anthropogenic emissions of GHGs,
including gases regulated by the Montreal Protocol; or
b) the protection and/or enhancement of GHG sinks and reservoirs; or
c) the integration of climate change concerns with the recipient countries’
development objectives through institution building, capacity development,
strengthening the regulatory and policy framework, or research; or
d) developing countries’ efforts to meet their obligations under the Convention.
The activity will score “principal objective” if it directly and explicitly aims to achieve
one or more of the above four criteria.
Proposed adjustments => introduce specifications
• General principles (possibly by sector) (drawing on
the MDB approach)
• Reference to GHG savings

7. 2. Proposed adjustments to the mitigation marker (O8)
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL ACTIVITIES
Current:
List of typical examples in sectors and typical non-sector
activities.
Proposed adjustments:
=> introduce additional examples drawing from the MDB
positive list

8. 3. Proposed adjustments to the adaptation marker
(Option 9)
DEFINITION
Current: An activity should be classified as climate-change-adaptation
related (score Principal or Significant) if:
It intends to reduce the vulnerability of human or natural systems to the
impacts of climate change and climate-related risks, by maintaining or
increasing adaptive capacity and resilience.
This encompasses a range of activities from information and knowledge
generation, to capacity development, planning and the implementation of
climate change adaptation actions.
Proposed adjustments:
None

9. 3. Proposed adjustments to the adaptation marker (O9)
CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY
Current:
a) the climate change adaptation objective is explicitly indicated in the
activity documentation; and
b) the activity contains specific measures targeting the definition above.
Carrying out a climate change adaptation analysis, either separately or as an
integral part of agencies’ standard procedures, facilitates this approach.
Proposed adjustments => introduce the three steps outlined
in the MDB approach
• Context of vulnerability
• Statement of intent to address climate vulnerability
• Clear and direct link between vulnerability & project

10. 3. Proposed adjustments to the adaptation marker (O9)
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL ACTIVITIES
Current:
Examples of typical enabling activities for adaptation and
examples of typical sectoral activities.
Proposed adjustments:
introduce additional examples drawing from the MDB list
of indicative examples highlighting:
- Sector
- Context of climate vulnerability
- Adaptation activity

11. 4. Clarification for distinguishing between principal and
significant (Option 7)
 Current guidance provided in the form of
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
 Possibilities for further clarification?
• Set a minimum budget component threshold for
qualifying as principal (e.g. 80% of the budget)
• Report separately minor project components
contributing to climate.

12. 5. Automatic marking of Rio-marked projects against
the Environment marker (Option 11)
 Proposed ruling in CRS Reporting Check list:
« When Rio markers climate mitigation,
biodiversity or desertification are set to 1 or 2,
Aid to environment is generally also set to 1 or 2
(exceptions relate to projects marked against Rio
markers but harmful to local environment). »
avoid oversights and trivial mistakes in
reporting
 retains some flexibility.