This evaluation aims to provide the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Finland and its stakeholders with an in-depth understanding of the achievements, merits, and value of implementing the policy priority area on sustainable management and use of natural resources. It seeks to deliver evidence-based recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of Finland's engagement with this theme over the long term, while also increasing awareness of results achieved and lessons learned. Additionally, the evaluation will expand knowledge on environment and natural resources-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular attention to SDG 17 on partnerships.
The evaluation encompasses four standalone evaluations on four of the sub-sectors under Finland's ‘Climate and Natural Resources’ policy priority area: i) forests and biodiversity; ii) water resources management; iii) energy, circular economy and critical minerals; and iv) disaster risk reduction (DRR), including meteorology. A synthesis report integrates key findings from the four evaluation reports, explores interlinkages, provides meta-level insights, and identifies concrete opportunities for Finnish private sector engagement.
Objectives:

Assess results, successes, and challenges in achieving the objectives of this policy priority area and its sub-sectors.

Provide a synthesis of outcomes and impacts, including early and emerging impacts.
Identify and analyse opportunities for engaging Finnish private sector actors in this work.

Develop practical, evidence-based recommendations for future policy and operational approaches, considering financial and resource constraints. This includes exploring the potential of geospatial data and geo-referencing for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
The evaluation focuses primarily on the OECD DAC criteria of effectiveness and impact, with a particular emphasis on tangible results and signs of impact from both ongoing and completed interventions.