23 November 2016: The Marrakech Climate Change Conference concluded with the Heads of State, Government and Delegations issuing the ‘Marrakech Action Proclamation for Our Climate and Sustainable Development,’ which calls for a greater volume, access to and flow of “improved capacity and technology, including from developed to developing countries.”

In Marrakech, negotiators focused on advancing work on capacity building, and technology development and transfer under the various mandates emanating from the Paris Agreement and the Convention.

The 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the UNFCCC and the 12th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 12) adopted a number of decisions related to capacity building and technology development and transfer, including: the Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB); the third comprehensive review of the implementation of the framework for capacity-building in developing countries under the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol; enhancing climate technology development and transfer through the Technology Mechanism; and the linkages between the Technology Mechanism and the Financial Mechanism of the Convention. [Marrakech Action Proclamation for our Climate and Sustainable Development] [Decision -/CP.22: Paris Committee on Capacity-building] [Decision -/CP.22: Third Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Framework for Capacity-building in Developing Countries under the Convention] [Decision -/CP.22: Third Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Framework for Capacity-building in Developing Countries under the Kyoto Protocol] [Decision -/CP.22: Enhancing Climate Technology Development and Transfer through the Technology Mechanism] [Decision -/CP.22: Linkages between the Technology Mechanism and the Financial Mechanism of the Convention]

The Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) adopted conclusions on, inter alia: the PCCB (FCCC/SBI/2016/L.34); the third comprehensive review of the implementation of the framework for capacity-building in developing countries under the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol (FCCC/SBI/2016/L.38 and FCCC/SBI/2016/L.39); the joint annual report of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) for 2016 (FCCC/SB/2016/L.5); the scope and modalities for the periodic assessment of the Technology Mechanism in relation to supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement (FCCC/SBI/2016/L.27); the Poznan strategic programme on technology transfer (FCCC/SBI/2016/L.29); and the Technology Framework under Article 10, paragraph 4, of the Paris Agreement (FCCC/SBSTA/2016/L.21). [SBI Conclusions on PCCB] [SBI Conclusions on Third Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Framework for Capacity-building in Developing Countries under the Convention] [SBI Conclusions on Third Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Framework for Capacity-building in Developing Countries under the Kyoto Protocol] [SB Conclusions on Joint Annual Report of the Technology Executive Committee and the Climate Technology Centre and Network for 2016] [SBI Conclusions on Scope and Modalities for the Periodic Assessment of the Technology Mechanism in Relation to Supporting the Implementation of the Paris Agreement] [SBI Conclusions on Poznan Strategic Programme on Technology Transfer] [SBSTA Conclusions on Technology Framework under Article 10, Paragraph 4, of the Paris Agreement]

Also, COP 22 saw the operationalization of the Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) trust fund, hosted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). [GEF Progress Report to COP 22 on CBIT] [GEF Press Release] [GEF CBIT Webpage] [IISD RS Story on Operationalization of CBIT Trust Fund]

COP 22 Side Events Explore Linkages among Climate Change Goals and SDGs

Among the numerous side events convened during the second week of COP 22, several highlighted issues pertaining to capacity building and technology development and transfer, emphasizing the interlinkages between climate change action and building capacity for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The One UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (UN CC:Learn) hosted several events on capacity building and education. A high-level event themed ‘Education Key Driver to Scale-up Climate Action’ and a ‘Leaving No One Behind in Climate Change Education’ side event were held on 14 November 2016. UN CC:Learn also hosted a library of documents produced by UN partners of relevance for COP 22. [UN CC:Learn High-level Event: Education Key Driver to Scale-up Climate Action] [UN CC:Learn Side Event: Leaving No One Behind in Climate Change Education] [UN CC:Learn COP 22 Library]

Other prominent side events held during the second week of COP 22 included:

• ‘SDG 17: Building capacity for 2030 Agenda through climate action solutions for regional implementation’ presented by the UN on 15 November 2016 [IISD RS ENBOTS Coverage] [COP 22 Side Events and Exhibits Schedule]
• ‘On the ground support needs for climate action and capacity building in developing countries’ hosted by the UNFCCC Climate Change Studio on 16 November 2016 [COP 22 Side Events and Exhibits Schedule]
• ‘Engaging researchers in capacity building’ presented by the UNFCCC Climate Change Studio on 17 November 2016 [COP 22 Side Events and Exhibits Schedule]
• ‘Capacity building for CO2 mitigation from international aviation’ presented by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Commission [EU COP 22 Programme of Side Events]
• ‘How technology and business are mobilizing climate change adaptation and mitigation at scale’ convened by the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), Cameroon and the University of Cambridge on 15 November 2016 [COP 22 Side Events and Exhibits Schedule]
• ‘Technology transfer to the zero carbon economy’ presented by Climate-KIC, Europe’s largest public-private partnership (PPP) focused on climate innovation, and the CTCN [EU COP 22 Programme of Side Events]

Millions Pledged for Technology Transfer for Paris Agreement Implementation, Developing Countries’ Mitigation Reporting Capacity Enhanced

On 16 November 2016, Canada, Denmark, the European Union (EU), Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and the US pledged over US$23 million to support technology transfer in developing countries through the CTCN.

The CTCN provides capacity building and technical assistance at the request of developing countries across a broad range of climate change mitigation and adaptation technology, and policy sectors. [CTCN Press Release]

On 27 October 2016, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia and partners hosted a webinar on the ‘Biennial Update Report (BUR) Process Guidance Tool’ designed to support developing countries in the process of preparing BURs and undergoing the International Consultation and Analysis (ICA).

BURs are reports submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat by developing countries. They contain updates of national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, including a national inventory report and information on mitigation actions, needs and support received. ICA is a process whose primary objective is to enhance the transparency of mitigation actions. It also aims to contribute to capacity building in developing countries towards the improvement in the quality of their BURs. [International Partnership on Mitigation and MRV Press Release] [UNFCCC Developing Countries’ MRV Webpage] [UNFCCC BUR Webpage]

The UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in collaboration with UN Development Programme (UNDP) Mozambique, held a training workshop on climate change diplomacy for Mozambican diplomats and public officials. The workshop was conducted in preparation for COP 22. [UNITAR Press Release]