On 13–14 October, in Bonn, Germany, the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee convened Parties, technology stakeholders and 17 leading technology experts to discuss how to enhance the innovation of low-carbon and climate-resilient technologies. The workshop included the participation of New South Wales Chief Scientist and Engineer Dr. Mary O’Kane and Brazilian wind turbine guru Mr. Bento Koike, who helped to identify policies that countries may adopt to enhance climate technology action.
Many of the high level technology experts noted that a national system of innovation is a broad and complex system which has a key role to play in enhancing national efforts on climate change. In the workshop’s opening presentation, Professor Lee Branstetter of Carnegie Mellon University illustrated the complexities of such a system.
Notwithstanding these complexities, Mr. Jean-Francois Gagné of the International Energy Agency noted the urgency of the required climate action and the central role that technologies need to play in ensuring that the world keeps to a two degree rise in global temperature.
Professor Ambuj Sagar of the Indian Institute of Technology noted that to strengthen national systems of innovation in developing countries it is important to strengthen the involved actors, linkages between these actors and the institutional context. Building on this, he described the international technology facilitation landscape which supports climate technology action in developing countries at the different stages of the technology cycle.
The experts also noted that to build such systems it is important to network with stakeholders, share knowledge, develop a shared vision and support experimentation. They further noted that climate innovation is a driver of economic growth and well-being. A concrete example of technology and market innovation for climate change was provided by Mr. Paul Needham, CEO of Simpa Networks. Through innovation, Mr. Needham described how Simpa Networks aims to provide solar PV systems to off-grid communities in Northern India.
Over the two days, more than 70 participants engaged in open and constructive consideration of climate technology innovation. Also participating were the Chair of the Climate Technology Centre and Network’s (CTCN) Advisory Board, the Adaptation Committee Co-Chair and the CTCN Director. Online viewers followed the workshop via the live webcast and participated in the discussion sessions by sending questions through Twitter. More information, including workshop presentations, may be found here.
The Technology Executive Committee (TEC) organized the workshop as part of its 2014-2015 work plan. At its next meeting (March 2015) the TEC will further consider how to address enabling environments for and barriers to technology development and transfer, taking into account the outcomes of the workshop.
The two components of the UNFCCC’s Technology Mechanism are working to enhance climate technology action. The CTCN is currently responding to 23 developing country requests to enhance technology action on the ground, while the TEC is dealing with policy issues to enhance climate technology development and transfer.