16 March 2018: The Technology Executive Committee (TEC) convened its 16th meeting (TEC 16) in preparation for the Bonn Climate Change Conference. The meeting included an in-session thematic dialogue on incubators and accelerators in developing countries, which aimed to identify ways to advance climate action and implement the Paris Agreement on climate change by accelerating support for entrepreneurs who develop innovative climate technologies.

The in-session dialogue was held on 14 March under the theme ‘Boosting climate technology incubators and accelerators in developing countries.’ It brought together experts from around the world to identify ways to provide technological support and climate finance to developing country entrepreneurs. Organized by the TEC, Climate and Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) and Green Climate Fund (GCF), the event identified key issues related to supporting such efforts.

The in-session dialogue emphasized the important role incubators and accelerators play in a country’s innovation ecosystem, and identified key issues related to supporting such initiatives.

Participants emphasized the important role incubators and accelerators play in a country’s innovation ecosystem. They noted that national strategies and plans, regulations and supporting policies provide the necessary conditions for an incubator to flourish, and that strategic financing can play a key role in unlocking further investment. [Thematic Dialogue Webpage] [CTCN Press Release on Outcomes of Thematic Dialogue] [CTCN Press Release Announcing Thematic Dialogue] [UNFCCC Press Release]

TEC 16 met in Bonn, Germany, from 13-16 March 2018 to discuss, among other issues: implementation of the remaining activities in the current rolling workplan for 2016-2018, including technology needs assessments (TNAs); climate technology financing; technologies for mitigation and adaptation; and innovation and research, development and demonstration (RD&D). The Bonn Climate Change Conference is scheduled to convene from 30 April to 10 May 2018.[TEC 16 Webpage]

The role of business engagement in climate action was also one of the main issues CTCN Director Jukka Uosukainen highlighted in an interview to a CTCN consortium partner DNV GL, a Norwegian private sector organization. He underscored the importance of business action in achieving the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. [Interview with CTCN Director Jukka Uosukainen] [CTCN Consortium Partner DNV GL]

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The SDG Knowledge Hub publishes regular capacity building and technology updates that can be found under the tag Climate Change Capacity Building and Technology Update.