Relevant decisions
Decision 4/CP.7
Development and transfer of technologies
Decision 3/CP.13
Development and transfer of technologies under the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice
Decision 1/CP.16
The Cancun Agreements
Technology Needs Assessments
Definition
Technology needs assessments (TNAs) are :
• A set of country-driven activities that identify and determine the mitigation and adaptation technology priorities of developing country Parties.
• Involve different stakeholders in a consultative process to identify the barriers to technology transfer and measures to address these barriers through sectoral analyses.
• May address soft and hard technologies, such as mitigation and adaptation technologies, identify regulatory options and develop fiscal and financial incentives and capacity-building.
Purpose
The purpose of technology needs assessments is to assist in identifying and analysing priority technology needs, which can be the basis for a portfolio of environmentally sustainable technology (EST) projects and programmes which can facilitate the transfer of, and access to, the ESTs and know-how in the implementation of Article 4.5 of the Convention.
Progress
The EGTT has collaborated with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) on providing technical assistance to non-Annex I Parties to conduct technology needs assessments (TNAs) . The secretariat has published two synthesis reports on technology needs identified by non-Annex I Parties, which highlight priority technology needs identified in various sectors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change. They also draws attention to specific barriers to technology transfer and suggests measures to address them.
| EGTT Activities | Results/products |
|---|---|
| • Collaborated with the GEF, UNDP, UNEP and CTI on providing technical assistance to non-Annex I Parties to conduct TNAs. • Cooperated with CTI, UNDP and UNEP in organizing three regional workshops in conducting TNAs. • Assisted the secretariat in organizing a workshop on TNAs and technology information for the Caribbean region. • Contributed to the improvement of the quality of the TNA process and TNA reporting, including facilitation of the implementation of activities identified in TNAs. |
• GEF provided funding to 92 non-Annex I Parties to conduct TNAs. • More than 70 non-Annex I Parties have completed their TNAs. • Two synthesis reports on technology needs identified by non-Annex I Parties. • UNDP/GEF Handbook on conducting technology needs assessments for climate change. • Expert meetings on TNAs. |
Current Work
At COP 16, Parties established the Technology Mechanism of the Convention, consisting of a Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and a Climate Technology Centre and Network. Parties decided that the TEC shall further implement the Technology Transfer Framework.
UNEP, on behalf of the GEF, is implementing a new round of TNAs with objectives that go beyond identifying technology needs narrowly. The TNAs will lead to the development of a national Technology Action Plan (TAP) that prioritizes technologies, recommends an enabling framework for the diffusion of these technologies and facilitates identification of good technology transfer projects and their links to relevant financing sources. The TAP will systematically address practical actions necessary to reduce or remove policy, finance and technology related barriers.
UNEP, in collaboration with the UNEP Risoe Centre, will provide targeted financial, technical and methodological support to assist 36 countries in conducting TNA projects. An initial round of 15 countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe are being supported in the first round since early 2010. An additional 21 countries were selected in the last quarter of 2010. More>>
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