Best Practices- Evidence-based Decision Making

The GFCR applies evidence-based decision-making in combination with the precautionary principle to assess and mitigate risk, promote equitable and long-term solutions, and work to deliver measurable net benefits to coral reef ecosystems and associated communities.

The concept of evidence-based decision-making refers to, “a process for making decisions about a program, practice, or policy that is grounded in the best available research evidence and informed by experiential evidence from the field and relevant contextual evidence” (CDC). This science and information based approach is combined in this principal with the precautionary principle which was described in the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development as “where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.” In other words, it is not advisable to wait until all the data are available prior to taking action that could avoid irreversible damage. This combination of approaches seeks to achieve the GFCR outcomes in a cost-effective and timely manner while using data and measurement where possible to plan and monitor success.

The GFCR uses these approaches for risk assessment and mitigation, and they have been integrated into the GFCR Risk Assessment system, the Environmental and Social Safeguards policy and system, and the GFCR monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system. Each of these systems operates at the Fund level and at the program level overseen by the Convening Agents under each ecosystem program.

It is important to consider how data and other information is gathered to avoid bias – whether intentional or otherwise. The goal of equitable data-driven decision-making is enhanced by assuring data gathering is done equitably and inclusively (also see Principle 8 Equitable Outcomes). By including key stakeholders in data collection and analysis, there is greater ownership of this information and an increased likelihood that the information will be used for better management. As the goal of evidence-based decision-making is supporting long-term sustainable solutions, not only should current stakeholders be involved but also analyses should be projected into the future – accounting for climate change expectations, long-term financing needs, and the needs of future generations.

Data is essential to assure that the impacts of the GFCR are being achieved – for coral reef ecosystems and for associated communities. As such, social, environmental, and economic impacts should be measurable and measured at all levels - individual projects, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the priority ecosystem programs, and the GFCR. The GFCR’s Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system seeks to collect, analyze, and communicate relevant information that assesses the impact of the GFCR across its target objectives and stakeholders. 
The additional information collection will also be necessary at the local level to assure sound natural resource management decisions. Because both ecosystems and economies are complex, it is often difficult to understand the cause of certain outcomes and the M&E system will consider measures of attribution – to ascertain how much the GFCR has contributed to the outcomes – not only if the outcome was attained.

Finally, it is essential that various choices, strategies, and policy decisions are clearly documented, showing the extent to which information was gathered and used for decision-making. Where data are lacking, it is possible to use informed expert opinion through a structured, inclusive approach to making informed decisions – documenting the deliberative process and sources of information.

You can access more GFCR Investment Principles' best practices here.
The full document covering all the best practice series can be downloaded from here: GFCR Best Practice General Principles 2022.pdf