6 October 2016
Capacity Building and Technology Update: Technology Mechanism Prepares for COP 22, CTCN Completes First Requests for Assistance
story highlights

With mere weeks left until the Marrakesh Climate Change Conference, and the Paris Agreement nearing the threshold for entry into force, the pressure is on.

The Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Advisory Board of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) have met in preparation for the event, agreeing on their joint 2016 report to the Conference of the Parties (COP).

Parties have been submitting their views on a range of issues, including the technology framework established under the Paris Agreement, and the Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB).

unfccc_unitar_uncc5 October 2016: Momentum is growing in the climate arena with mere weeks left until the Marrakesh Climate Change Conference, and the Paris Agreement nearing the threshold for entry into force. The Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Advisory Board of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) have met in preparation for the Conference, agreeing on their joint 2016 report to the Conference of the Parties (COP). Parties have been submitting their views on a range of issues, including the technology framework established under the Paris Agreement, and the Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB).

TEC, CTCN Advisory Board Convene Ahead of Marrakesh

The TEC, the policy arm of the Technology Mechanism, held its 13th meeting (TEC 13) in Bonn, Germany, from 6-9 September 2016. The TEC finalized messages to the 22nd session of the COP to the UNFCCC, to be held in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 7-18 November 2016, on climate technology financing, South-South cooperation on adaptation technologies and technology needs assessments (TNAs). The TEC also prepared its report to COP 22 on consultations that it held with the CTCN, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on linkages between the Technology Mechanism and the Financial Mechanism. They undertook these consultations with the aim of ensuring coherent, effective and enhanced delivery of finance for climate technology development and transfer activities. [TEC 13 Webpage] [TEC 13 Agenda] [TEC 13 Work Schedule] [Joint annual report of the TEC and the CTCN for 2016] [TEC Webpage] [IISD RS Sources]

The Advisory Board of the CTCN held its eighth meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 23-25 August 2016, providing strategic direction to the Technology Mechanism’s implementation arm. The Advisory Board focused on the CTCN’s performance in delivering its three core services: providing technical assistance at the request of developing countries to accelerate the transfer of climate technologies; creating access to information and knowledge on climate technologies; and fostering collaboration among climate technology stakeholders via the Centre’s network of regional and sectoral experts from academia, the private sector, and public and research institutions.

On responding to requests for technical assistance, the Board noted positively that the CTCN has now completed responses to the first requests it received from developing countries. As of September 2016, it has received 150 requests for technical assistance, completing 8 requests and currently implementing 28. [Eighth CTCN Advisory Board Meeting Webpage] [Meeting Agenda] [CTCN Press Release on Eighth CTCN Advisory Board Meeting] [Technical Assistance Requests Visualizations Webpage] [Joint annual report of the TEC and the CTCN for 2016] [IISD RS Sources]

UNFCCC Issues Publications, Parties Submit Views Ahead of COP 22

The UNFCCC Secretariat has issued the following publications in preparation for COP 22:

Also in preparation for COP 22, a number of Parties have submitted their views on several issues related to capacity building and technology development and transfer:

  • The following negotiating blocs and Parties have made submissions on the technology framework established under Article 10(4) of the Paris Agreement: the Least Developed Countries (LDCs); the Independent Association of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC); the African Group; the European Union (EU); Brazil; Indonesia; the Republic of Korea; India; and, jointly, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway and the US. [UNFCCC Submission Portal] [Decision 1/CP.21 Adopting Paris Agreement]
  • On the annual focus area or theme for PCCB for 2017, and on which representatives of the bodies established under the Convention and of the operating entities of the Financial Mechanism should be invited to the first meeting of the PCCB, submissions have been received from: the African Group; the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG); the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China); the EU; the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS); the Russian Federation; Indonesia; and jointly Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Ukraine and the US. [UNFCCC Submission Portal]

CTCN Regional Forum Builds Capacity in Africa, CTCN-supported Projects Advance Adaptation and Mitigation in Africa and Near East

The CTCN convened a regional forum for Anglophone Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, from 27-29 September 2016 to develop and strengthen the regional network of national designated entities (NDEs) and their relationship with other technology stakeholders. [Regional Forum Webpage] [Regional Forum Agenda] [CTCN Regional Forums Webpage]

CTCN-supported projects made progress on: catalyzing low-cost green technologies for sustainable water service delivery in northern Kenya; formulating geothermal energy policy, legal and regulatory framework in Uganda; identification of climate adaptation technologies with rural communities in Mali; establishment of a sustainable system for the collection and dissemination of agro-meteorological information for producers to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change in Benin; and strengthening capacity to access international financing for Jordan’s climate technology priorities. [CTCN Update on Catalyzing Low-Cost Green Technologies for Sustainable Water Service Delivery in Northern Kenya] [CTCN Update on Soliciting Stakeholder Inputs on a National Geothermal Energy Policy in Uganda] [CTCN Update on Developing a Policy, Legal and Regulatory Framework for Geothermal Energy in Uganda] [CTCN Update on Identification of Climate Adaptation Technologies with Rural Communities in Mali] [CTCN Update on Establishment of a Sustainable System for the Collection and Dissemination of Agro-Meteorological Information for Producers to Adapt to the Adverse Effects of Climate Change in Benin] [CTCN Update on Strengthening Capacity to Access International Financing for Jordan’s Climate Technology Priorities]

UNITAR Trainings to Look Out For


related events


related posts