The CTCN is the implementation arm of the Technology Mechanism. It is hosted by UNEP and supported by a Consortium of 14 additional leading climate technology institutions. Through its global network, consisting of over 700 academic, civil society, finance, private sector and research institutions, the CTCN promotes the accelerated transfer of environmentally sound technologies for energy-efficient, low carbon and climate-resilient development at the request of developing countries. It provides technology solutions, capacity building and advice on policy, legal and regulatory frameworks tailored to the needs of individual countries. As of March 2022, it has served 108 countries.

The CTCN provides three core services:

• Providing technical assistance at the request  of developing countries to accelerate the transfer of  climate technologies;
   
• Developing capacity and creating access to a vast repository of information and knowledge on a wide range of climate technologies, including those relevant for adaptation and NAPs;
   
• Fostering collaboration among climate technology stakeholders via the Centre’s network of regional and sectoral experts from academia, civil society, finance, the private sector, the public sector, and research institutions.

In terms of technical assistance the CTCN provides the following types of support which are relevant for the formulation and implementation of NAPs:

• Technical assessments, including technical expertise and recommendations related to specific technology needs, identification of technologies, technology barriers, technology efficiency, as well as piloting and deployment of technologies;
   
• Technical support for policy and planning documents, including strategies and policies, roadmaps and action plans, regulations and legal measures (e.g. the CTCN Incubator Programme for LDCs which aims at supporting LDCs in developing technology roadmaps and capacity-building to develop GCF concept notes in view of reaching their NDC adaptation and mitigation targets);
   
• Trainings and capacity-building through a range of programmes;
   
• Tools and methodologies;
   
• Implementation plans.

The CTCN does not provide funding directly to countries but instead supports the provision of technical assistance by experts on specific climate technology sectors. This assistance is free of charge for a country for up to USD 250,000. In addition, a country can request fast technical assistance for a short time response (up to two months) with a limited value of USD 15,000 and with a focus on technology prioritization, endogenous technologies assessment, policies and measures that are immediate priorities for the requesting country. The number of requests that each country may submit to the CTCN is not limited as long as the CTCN has not reached its capacity for responding to requests. The CTCN also collaborates with the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism and the Adaptation Fund to facilitate developing countries’ access to climate finance for climate technology support.

In some cases, the CTCN can also assist in playing a matchmaking role between a country's technology service providers and funding sources. In response to the growing demand from developing countries for climate technology-related support, including climate adaptation technologies, and following guidance from COP26, the CTCN will be considering new modalities of support in its third Programme of Work (2023-2027).

The UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. It has four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities;  and (iv) convening partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation.

As part of its paradigm of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, UNIDO provides policy advice, vulnerability assessments, capacity-building and other support to governments and industries for the implementation of adaptation technologies that have synergies with mitigation technologies. It thereby focuses particularly on the water sector and on ecosystem management.

Further information

UNIDO.

UNIDO Industry and adaptation.

The UN Technology Bank for the LDCs became operational in 2018 and is a global organization dedicated to building the science, technology and innovation capacity that LDCs need to promote the structural transformation of their economies, eradicate poverty and foster sustainable development. It supports national and regional technological efforts, reinforces partnerships across sectors and helps nations identify and use appropriate technologies to transform their economies and improve livelihoods.

The Bank supports capacity development, including the capacity to identify, absorb, develop, integrate and scale up the deployment of technologies and innovations, including indigenous ones, as well as the capacity to address and manage intellectual property rights issues. It also supports the development and implementation of national and regional science, technology and innovation strategies as well as partnerships and cooperation between countries as well as between science, technology and innovation stakeholders, including from the public and private sectors. Finally, it facilitates the identification and utilization of and access to appropriate technologies by the LDCs through e.g. support for technology needs assessments and technology transfer programmes.

Further information

UN Technology Bank for the LDCs.

The WTO deals with the rules of trade between nations with the primary goal of ensuring that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. To this end, it operates a global system of trade rules, acts as a forum for negotiating trade agreements, settles trade disputes between its members and supports the needs of developing countries.

Through certain provisions of its agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) it contributes to both the innovation of mitigation and adaptation–related technologies as well as their diffusion by ensuring a balance between the interests of creators and inventors of technology on the one hand and those of its users on the other. For example, Art. 7 of the TRIPS Agreement recognizes that the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights “should contribute to the promotion of technological innovation and the transfer and dissemination of technology, to the mutual advantage of producers and users of technological knowledge and in a manner conducive to social and economic welfare, and to a balance of rights and obligations”.

Article 66.2 requires developed country members to provide incentives to enterprises and institutions in their territories for the purpose of promoting and encouraging technology transfer to LDC members in order to enable them to create a sound and viable technological base. The TRIPS Agreement also positively requires full disclosure of information about how to implement a patented invention – in particular, so that the invention can be carried out by a suitably skilled technician. In general, LDCs have so far been exempt from any TRIPS obligations other than respecting nondiscrimination principles.

The WTO provides technical assistance to help members and observers implement an intellectual property regime that meets their developmental and other domestic policy objectives.

Further information

World Trade Organization.

Trade and Climate Change.

Interface between climate change and the TRIPS Agreement.