OECD DAC Marker Scoring Guide
The official in-portal reference for applying the OECD DAC Rio Markers (climate) and Gender Equality Policy Marker (gender) to the platform member state's budget line items. All tagging must comply with this methodology.
Climate Change Marker
Based on OECD DAC Rio Markers. Applied separately for Adaptation (reducing vulnerability) and Mitigation (reducing emissions). Score: 0 (not targeted), 1 (significant), 2 (principal).
Gender Equality Marker
Based on OECD DAC Gender Equality Policy Marker. Assesses whether the activity promotes gender equality or women's empowerment. Score: 0 (not targeted), 1 (significant), 2 (principal).
Climate Change Markers — OECD DAC Rio Markers
Definition
Climate change mitigation or adaptation is not an objective of this expenditure. The activity has been screened against the Rio markers and found not to target climate change.
Scoring Criteria
- No mention of climate change in project objectives or design documents
- No reduction in greenhouse gas emissions or enhancement of sinks
- No measures to reduce vulnerability to climate variability or change
- Activity would proceed identically regardless of climate change context
Saint Lucia Example
General Road Maintenance – Castries Urban Roads
Ministry of Infrastructure
Routine pothole repair and road resurfacing with no climate-proofing measures, no stormwater upgrades, and no reference to climate resilience in project design.
Definition
Climate change mitigation or adaptation is an important and deliberate objective, but not the principal reason for undertaking the activity. The activity would still be undertaken without the climate objective.
Scoring Criteria
- Climate change is explicitly mentioned in project objectives
- The activity contributes to climate goals but has other primary purposes
- Climate-related components are a meaningful but secondary part of the budget
- Removing the climate component would not fundamentally change the activity
Saint Lucia Example
Community Health Centre Upgrades – Southern Districts
Ministry of Health
Primary objective is healthcare service delivery. However, upgrades include solar PV installation and rainwater harvesting to improve energy and water resilience — significant climate co-benefits.
Definition
Climate change mitigation or adaptation is the primary, fundamental reason for undertaking the activity. The activity would not be undertaken without the climate objective.
Scoring Criteria
- Climate change is the stated primary objective in project design documents
- The activity would not exist or would be fundamentally different without the climate objective
- Budget allocation is primarily driven by climate change considerations
- Activity directly contributes to NDC targets or national adaptation plans
Saint Lucia Example
Sea Wall Rehabilitation – Castries Waterfront
Ministry of Physical Development
Explicitly designed to protect coastal infrastructure from sea-level rise and storm surge intensification. Climate adaptation is the sole justification for this capital expenditure.
Adaptation vs. Mitigation
For any Marker 1 or 2 score, you must also specify the climate type: Adaptation (reducing vulnerability to climate impacts, e.g., sea walls, drought-resistant crops), Mitigation (reducing GHG emissions, e.g., solar PV, energy efficiency), or Both. the National NDC prioritises adaptation given its SIDS vulnerability profile.