Technology transfer insights for new climate regime

Abstract

The purpose of technology transfer under the UNFCCC Article 4.5 is to ''…promote, facilitate, and finance as appropriate the transfer of, or access to, environmentally sound technologies and know how to other Parties particularly Developing Country parties to enable them to implement the provisions of the Convention.'' The key challenge in this respect is that low-carbon sustainable technologies need to be adopted both by developed as well as developing countries. However, this paper focuses on the process of technology transfer to developing countries to allow them to move quickly to environmentally sound and sustainable practices, institutions and technologies. In the above framework, this paper reviews key aspects of technology transfer from a range of perspectives in the literature and discusses insights from this literature for the transfer and innovation process needed to reduce global vulnerability to climate change in the context of current international activities based on the research undertaken by the EU sponsored ENTTRANS project.

An Integrated Contribution Approach Focusing on Technology for Climate Change Mitigation and Promotion of International Technology Cooperation and Transfer

“…In addition, Karakosta et al [22] indicates that these past CDM projects "concentrates on single projects mostly in isolation of the host country's national and technology context" and "does not foster the supporting systems needed to enhance adoption of new technology, …" Furthermore, Flamos and Begg [33] raised as problems that the access to local market network was less and few assessment of energy service, market, policy and supporting service tailored to the situations in each host country.…”

Technology cooperation for sustainable energy: a review of pathways

“…An alternative pathway considers the role of communities, where attention is placed on the local level (community groups, local players such as schools, hospitals, local NGOs, citizens, etc.). As Flomos and Begg note, ‘for the technology innovation to deliver benefits to the communities within the host developing country, it is also imperative that communities are involved in the technology implementation process’ (p. 22). This final section builds on this notion, suggesting that local partnerships, while key, are not sufficient in and of themselves to ensure sustainable technology uptake over time.…”

Climate Change as a Wicked Problem

“…Kyoto urges that remedying climate change would require all governments to formally agree on future emissions cuts and the mechanisms to achieve the set targets. The onus is on developed countries to mitigate their emissions and also provide developing countries with financial and technological assistance (Ayers & Dodman, 2010; Flamos & Begg, 2010; United Nation Framework Conventions on Climate Change [UNFCCC], 1998). This position is frequently contested among UNFCCC parties.…”