The GEF Trust Fund

The GEF Trust Fund focuses primarily on mitigation activities and the reduction of GHG emissions by supporting projects in renewable energy and energy efficiency. According to the GEF report to the COP at its twelfth session, almost all climate change projects funded from the GEF Trust Fund are concerned with either the initial introduction of modern technologies in developing countries or dissemination and broadening of their application. The GEF has supported projects in over 130 countries, seeking to develop and transform markets for more than two dozen technologies. The GEF had provided USD 884.3 million to support climate change projects during GEF 3 (2003-2006), which was the period of active implementation of the technology transfer framework (decision 4/CP.7). In 2006 the GEF provided support to 66 technology-related projects in various countries and regions. The percentage of funding for technology transfer within each project is not available, as the GEF currently does not systematically carry out assessment and quantitative analysis of how it supports and transfers through the cycle of technology introduction, adoption and absorption. However, overall, the GEF estimates that 80-100 per cent of GEF climate change mitigation funding fits the technology transfer definitions used by the Convention.

In the GEF 4 climate change focal area strategy, the focus of technology transfer activities is placed on the stimulation of an increased market penetration of energy-efficient technologies, practices, products and materials. Specifically, the strategic programme “Promoting energy efficiency in the industrial sector” is intended to support sector-specific technology transfer activities, and “Promoting energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings” and “Promoting market approaches for renewable energy” are intended to support renewable technologies projects. These programmes will be pursued as one of the priority platforms for the GEF private sector engagement to transform markets for energy and mobility.

Special Climate Change Fund

A specific programme for the transfer of technologies was set up under the SCCF, which follows a technology- or sector-specific approach. In 2007, it was revised to respond more flexibly the needs of different countries by taking a programmatic approach that builds upon existing initiatives of the GEF and its implementing and executing agencies, and in cooperation with various initiatives of the UNFCCC.

As at April 2007, USD 10.7 million were available from the SCCF for the programme for transfer of technology.

Poznan Strategic Programme on Technology Transfer

The Global Environment Facility, as an operational entity of the financial mechanism under the Convention, was requested by the Conference of the Parties at its 13th session to elaborate a strategic programme to scale up the level of investment for technology transfer to help developing countries address their needs for environmentally sound technologies, specifically considering how such a strategic programme might be implemented along with its relationship to existing and emerging activities and initiatives regarding technology transfer, in consultation with interested Parties, international financial institutions, other relevant multilateral institutions and representatives of the private financial community.

The COP, by its decision 2/CP.14, welcomed the Poznan strategic programme on technology transfer proposed by the GEF, which contains three funding windows:(1) technology needs assessments (TNAs); (2) piloting priority technology projects; and (3) dissemination of GEF experience and successfully demonstrated technologies.

The COP also requested the GEF to provide interim reports to the Subsidiary Body for Implementation on the progress made in carrying out the strategic programme, with a view to assessing its progress and future direction in order to help inform Parties in their consideration of long-term needs for implementation of the programme. The implementation of the activities receiving support under the Poznan strategic programme on technology transfer could be found in the progress report submitted by the GEF.