At CoP30 in Belém, states parties to the UNFCCCs adopted a comprehensive set of 59 voluntary (i.e., non-prescriptive) indicators also known as the Belém Adaptation Indicators to measure progress toward the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). These indicators cover both outcome and process metrics across a variety of climate-impacted sectors and cross-cutting themes. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

The 59 adopted indicators were consolidated from a broader list of 10,000 proposed metrics down to a workable 100, and finally pared into the 59 adopted. They are designed to monitor progress toward the 11 key thematic and dimensional targets established under the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience. [1, 2, 3]

Key phenomena measured include:

• Water and Sanitation: Ten targeted indicators tracking reductions in climate-induced water scarcity, changes in water stress levels, and the climate resilience of critical WASH infrastructure. [1, 2]
• Food, Land, and Water Systems: Metrics addressing adaptive capacity in agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and food security. [1, 2]
• Human Mobility and Vulnerable Groups: Direct indicators to measure the number of people supported in planned relocations due to water-related hazards and ensure the inclusion of migrants and vulnerable social groups. [1]
• Cross-cutting Themes: Additional metrics tracking means of implementation—including finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building—as well as gender equality considerations. [1] 

Implementation and Reporting

To respect national circumstances and avoid placing restrictive new financial or reporting burdens on developing nations, the indicators operate under a flexible framework. [1, 2, 3]

• Voluntary Testing: The CoP30 decision established a two-year operational period to allow countries to test and use these indicators as they see fit. [1]
• Integration: Parties are encouraged to integrate the Belém Adaptation Indicators into their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). [1]