Strengthening climate MEL in complex transitions - Glocal 2026 Panel discussion

Climate transitions are unfolding in contexts of high uncertainty, contested evidence, and increasing demands for transparency and trust. While data, analytical tools, and methodologies continue to expand, the core challenge remains how evidence is interpreted, shared, and used across complex systems involving multiple actors, interests, and power dynamics. The Climate MEL Systems Academy is being launched this year in collaboration with several partners. Over the course of one week, participants will move from framing their climate challenge to applying advanced evaluation methods in practice, integrating systems thinking, political economy and climate finance. The Glocal discussion will focus on “why the Climate MEL Systems Academy”, in the context of the evolving role of evaluators and MEL practitioners in navigating complexity, facilitating sensemaking, and strengthening the use of evidence in climate-related decisions. This panel will explore how monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) can move beyond the technical production of evidence toward supporting credible, trusted, and decision-relevant insights in climate action. Without focusing on specific technologies, the session will connect to the broader Glocal theme by reflecting on how trust in evidence is shaped not only by data quality, but also by processes of engagement, learning, and use across institutions and stakeholders. Objectives · Explore how Climate MEL can contribute to trust and credible evidence in complex transitions · Reflect on the evolving role of evaluators in supporting decision-making and learning · Share practical experiences on how evidence is interpreted, communicated, and used · Foster dialogue across practitioners working at the intersection of evaluation, climate, and policy Guiding Question How can Climate MEL better support trusted, meaningful, and actionable use of evidence in complex climate transitions? Target Audience · Evaluation and MEL professionals (emerging to senior level) · Commissioners, policy makers, and advisors · Practitioners working in climate, environment, and development · People interested in the Climate MEL discussion, including those exploring systems approaches and evidence use