The first meeting of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) was held on 1–3 September 2011 in Bonn. The Technology Executive Committee is the policy arm of the Technology Mechanism, established at last year’s Climate Change Conference in Cancun to help deploy the technology that developing countries need to plan and build their own low-carbon and climate-resilient futures.

The TEC is designed to lay the groundwork so that the Technology Mechanism can be fully operationalized in 2012.

Aside from the Technology Executive Committee, the Technology Mechanism will also comprise the Climate Technology Centre and Network, which is the mechanism’s implementation arm.

Key role of technology development and transfer

Opening the Bonn meeting, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres underlined the essential role of the TEC within the Technology Mechanism, and added that technology development and transfer is key to shifting the global economy onto a green pathway.

Patricia Espinosa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico and President of the Conference of Parties, delivered a video message to the meeting, in which she described the establishment of the Technology Mechanism at COP 16 in Cancun as a historical moment, and said that the TEC is expected to help Parties step up the impact, pace and quality of technology actions needed to address climate change.

The TEC members unanimously elected Mr. Gabriel Blanco from Argentina as Chair, and Mr. Antonio Pflueger from Germany as Vice-Chair for 2011-2012, giving them the mandate to collaborate closely in chairing the meetings and in executing work throughout the year.

Engagement of stakeholders

During the Bonn meeting, the TEC elaborated ways to engage a wide range of stakeholders at international, regional and national level, including public institutions, the business community, academia and NGOs.

The Committee also discussed options for the engagement of stakeholders, including through participation in the TEC meetings as observers or expert advisers, where applicable. This means that there are opportunities for stakeholder engagement in the work of the Committee, and stakeholders will be informed how to engage in time for the next steps on the road to an operational Technology Mechanism in 2012.

Members of the TEC expressed their views that the Committee should be able to provide Parties with expert advice on their strategies and policies, and that any guidance and advice given should be based on the perspective of developing countries. 

Furthermore, it was agreed that the work of the TEC should include: providing policy guidance; analyzing technology and capacity building needs; developing benchmarks on energy and fuel efficiencies to improve standards in developing countries; and advising on the development of national low-carbon strategies and adaptation plans.

Christiana Figueres praised the “very good progress” made at the meeting, and stressed that the goal of the Technology Mechanism could only be achieved through a wider and deeper collaboration among all countries with the active engagement of relevant stakeholders, including the research community, academia and, importantly, the private sector.

The TEC members agreed that their next meeting would take place in early 2012.