Definition

The mechanisms for technology transfer, as identified in this section, are to facilitate the support of financial, institutional and methodological activities:

(a) to enhance the coordination of the full range of stakeholders in different countries and regions;
(b) to engage them in cooperative efforts to accelerate the development and diffusion, including transfer, of environmentally sound technologies, know-how and practices to and between Parties other than developed country Parties and other developed Parties not included in Annex II, particularly developing country Parties, through technology cooperation and partnerships (public/public, private/public and private/private); and
(c) to facilitate the development of projects and programmes to support such ends.

Purpose

The purpose of the proposed mechanisms is to develop meaningful and effective actions to enhance the implementation of Article 4, paragraph 5, of the Convention by increasing the transfer of and access to environmentally sound technologies and know-how.

Implementation - Institutional arrangement for technology transfer

Functions: To provide scientific and technical advice on the advancement of the development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies and know-how under the Convention, including the preparation of an action plan to enhance the implementation of Article 4, paragraph 5, of the Convention.

The terms of reference of the expert group on technology transfer appear in the appendix of Decision 4/CP.7

The expert group on technology transfer shall comprise 20 experts, as follows:

(a) Three members from each of the regions of the Parties not included in Annex I, namely Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean;
(b) One member from the small island developing States;
(c) Seven members from Parties included in Annex I; and
(d) Three members from relevant international organizations.

The secretariat shall facilitate the organization of meetings of the group and the preparation of its reports to the SBSTA at its subsequent sessions and to the Conference of the Parties.

The expert group on technology transfer shall meet twice a year in conjunction with the sessions of the subsidiary bodies.

Progress

Under this theme, the EGTT was established as an institutional arrangement to facilitate the implementation of the technology transfer framework. The EGTT has provided its annual report to inform Parties on the status and progress of its work and the SBSTA considered and endorsed its proposed work programme for the following year.

An emerging area of work under the theme of mechanisms is innovative options for financing the development and transfer of technologies. In 2004, the secretariat, in collaboration with the EGTT, organized a workshop in Montreal, Canada, to address for the first time the issue of innovative options for financing the development and transfer of technologies. The workshop generated critical learning and common understanding on means of financing technology needs in developing countries, as well as possible innovative ways to engage the private sector in technology transfer activities under the Convention, such as seed financing, blending commercial and non-commercial financing sources, and establishing networks of partnerships. Representatives from the private sector financing community actively engaged in instructive assessments of their professional needs in order to engage in developing countries. Based on the productive outcomes of the workshop, the SBSTA requested the EGTT, with the assistance of the secretariat, to undertake several follow-up activities. These activities included the organization of a workshop on innovative options for financing the results of technology needs assessments held in October 2005 in Bonn, Germany; and preparation of a technical paper on innovative options for financing the development and transfer of technologies and a practitioners’ guide to assist project developers in developing countries to prepare project proposals that will meet the standards of international finance providers.

To date, much of the attention has been focused on the transfer of technologies for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. This work should certainly continue and intensify. But it must be complemented by the transfer of technologies to meet the special needs of countries for adaptation to climate change, taking into consideration policy frameworks that advance both adaptation and sustainable development. The seminar on the development and transfer of technologies for adaptation to climate change, organized in June 2005 in Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago, was a first step in that direction. The secretariat was requested to prepare a technical paper on the application of ESTs for adaptation to climate change for consideration at SBSTA 24.24 The paper contains comprehensive information and presented lessons learned in specific sectors (coastal zones, water resources, agriculture, public health and infrastructure) with 15 specific case studies, and it highlighted potential policy recommendations to strengthen the transfer of technologies for adaptation.

At its thirteenth sesssion, the COP Agreeed to reconstitute the EGTT for a further five years with new terms of reference; and to review, at its eighteenth session, progress of the work and terms of reference, including, if appropriate, the status and continuation of this body; and agreeed that the EGTT should provide advice as appropriate to the subsidiary bodies.

Besides innovative options for financing the development and transfer of technologies, three areas were emerging under the the theme of mechanisms for technology transfer, which are:

1. Possible ways and means to enhance cooperation with relevant Conventions and intergovernmental processes;
2. Promotion of endogenous development of technology through provision of financial resources and joint R&D;
3. Promotion of collaborative research and development on technologies.