14 June 2017
Capacity Building and Technology Update: CTCN Supports First-of-a-Kind Climate Technology, TEC Explores Enhancing RD&D Finance
UN Photo/Logan Abassi
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The CTCN – the implementation arm of the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism – held a scoping workshop on supporting ‘first-of-a-kind’ climate technology, which sought to define the status and potential for matchmaking support of first-of-a-kind climate technologies to developing countries through the CTCN.

The GEF Council approved the 2018 administrative budget for the Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency of US$930,270.

The UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee (TEC) – the policy arm of the Technology Mechanism – issued a working paper titled ‘Enhancing financing for the research, development and demonstration of climate technologies’.

12 June 2017: Recent activities in the areas of capacity building and technology development and transfer have ranged from Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN) support for novel climate technologies and promotion of high-level technologies by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to capacity-building activities on disaster risk management (DRM) by several UN agencies and various capacity-building efforts on climate services, emissions trading and forest conservation, to name but a few.

The present Update outlines these and other recent developments, which contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (zero hunger), 5 (gender equality), 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate action).

CTCN Supports Novel Climate Technology, Convenes Forum for Central Asia and Eastern Europe

The CTCN – the implementation arm of the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism – held a scoping workshop on supporting ‘first-of-a-kind’ climate technology. The workshop sought to, inter alia: define the status and potential for matchmaking support of first-of-a-kind climate technologies to developing countries through the CTCN; and identify means of de-risking public and private sector investment in first-of-a-kind climate technologies. [Workshop Agenda] [CTCN Press Release]

The CTCN convened a Regional Forum for Central Asia and Eastern Europe in Tbilisi, Georgia, from 30 May to 1 June 2017. National Designated Entities (NDEs) from the region, National Designated Authorities (NDAs) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), CTCN network members, representatives of financial institutions and others shared experiences and best practices from CTCN technical assistance in the region, and discussed collaboration, technology transfer, and successes and challenges encountered by NDEs, among other issues. [Regional Forum Agenda] [CTCN Press Release on Regional Forum for Central Asia and Eastern Europe] [CTCN Press Release on Photos and Presentations from Regional Forum]

The CTCN and partners organized a workshop for CTCN NDEs, representatives from the GCF and Global Environment Facility (GEF), and country officials responsible for Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs), Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), on how to mainstream technology in climate action plans. The workshop was relevant to, inter alia, progress towards SDG target 13.2 (Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning ). It took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 30-31 May 2017. [CTCN Press Release]

The CTCN published updates on its ongoing technical assistance, including:

WMO, FAO, UNISDR Boost Regional DRM, Disaster Response

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a video showing how METAGRI projects provide targeted climate services to rural producers in an effort to make them less vulnerable to weather impacts and climate change. Funded by the Governments of Norway and Spain, METAGRI and METAGRI Operational projects are implemented with the aid of the national meteorological services of 17 countries in West Africa. [WMO Press Release]

Cabo Verde and Swaziland advanced the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) implementation through training workshops on DRR under the ‘Building Disaster Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa’ programme. The programme is part of the EU’s cooperation with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries. The training contributed to efforts to achieve SDG target 13.1 (Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries). [UNISDR Press Release] [Sendai Framework for DRR]

To restore Peruvian farmers’ capacity to produce crops, which was compromised by the ‘Coastal El Niño’ phenomenon, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) seeks to complement Peru’s US$76 million Agrarian Reactivation Plan by requesting US$3.1 million from the international community to establish orchards, recover irrigation infrastructure and provide technical assistance in animal health. This project will not only contribute to achieving SDG 13 (climate action), but also SDG 2 (zero hunger). [FAO Press Release]

The ADB announced the establishment of a trust fund to promote the integration of high-level technology and innovative solutions in the design and implementation of ADB projects in Asia and the Pacific.

ADB Fund Promotes High-Level Technology, TEC Explores Ways to Enhance RD&D Finance

Many capacity-building activities of recent weeks focused on transparency- and technology-related aspects of climate finance, including access and ways to enhance it. The ADB announced the establishment of a trust fund to promote the integration of high-level technology (HLT) and innovative solutions in the design and implementation of ADB projects in Asia and the Pacific. The HLT Fund is expected to be operationalized by July 2017. The Government of Japan pledged US$40 million over two years to the HLT Fund. [ADB Press Release]

The GCF convened a three-day workshop titled ‘Empowering Direct Access’ in Songdo, Republic of Korea, from 23-25 May 2017. The workshop sought to support GCF direct access entities in developing project proposals, focusing on: project concept note and funding proposal development; mainstreaming gender, environmental and social safeguards, and risk in formulating proposals; and the Fund’s monitoring and reporting policies. [GCF Press Release]

At its 52nd meeting held in Washington, DC, US, from 23-25 May 2017, the GEF Council approved the 2018 administrative budget for the Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) of US$930,270. Established under the Paris Agreement on climate change, the CBIT seeks to strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of developing countries to meet the enhanced transparency requirements of the Paris Agreement on climate change. [Joint Summary of the Chairs of GEF Council 52nd Meeting] [IISD RS Coverage of GEF Council 52nd Meeting] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on GEF Council 52nd Meeting] [Decision 1/CP.21 Adopting Paris Agreement]

The UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee (TEC) – the policy arm of the Technology Mechanism – issued a working paper titled ‘Enhancing financing for the research, development and demonstration of climate technologies.’ The paper, inter alia: explores ways to enhance financing for researching, developing and demonstrating (RD&D) climate technologies; highlights the role of the private sector; and identifies mechanisms for international research and development (R&D) collaboration on agriculture and energy. [Enhancing Financing for the Research, Development and Demonstration of Climate Technologies] [TT:CLEAR TEC Webpage]

On 18 May 2017, the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) held a webinar with training institutions active in climate finance training to share experience on opportunities and challenges in delivering capacity building in the field. The webinar was part of the regional initiative by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) titled ‘Strengthening the Governance of Climate Change Finance (GCCF) to Benefit the Poor and Vulnerable in Asia and the Pacific.’ [UNITAR Press Release] [UNDP Initiative Brochure]

Initiatives Build Capacity on Climate Services, Emissions Trading, Forest Conservation

Registration is open for the European Market for Climate Services (EU-MACS) mid-term seminar themed ‘Towards Climate Services based on demand and guided by science,’ which seeks to engage, in particular, with representatives from the finance, tourism and urban planning sectors, as well as with climate service providers. The seminar will take place in Helsinki, Finland, on 19 June 2017. [Seminar Programme and Registration]

The World Bank launched its Bite-sized Learning modality, which relies on short and substantive videos to build capacity on climate change mitigation and adaptation. The first issue builds on a publication titled ‘Emissions Trading in Practice: Handbook on Design and Implementation’, developed by the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) and Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR). [World Bank Bite-sized Learning: Emissions Trading in Practice Webpage] [Emissions Trading in Practice: Handbook on Design and Implementation]

The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) capacity building programme published results of its first phase (2008-2016), which included 27 projects. The initiative seeks to provide forest-dependent indigenous peoples, civil society organizations and local communities with information to increase their understanding of efforts to reduce GHG emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), and to engage more meaningfully in the implementation of REDD+ activities. [FCPF Capacity Building Programme Webpage] [World Bank Press Release]

The UNFCCC and UN University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) launched an ‘Early Career Climate Fellowship Initiative’ during the Bonn Climate Change Conference, which took place in Bonn, Germany, from 8-18 May 2017. The initiative seeks to ensure that young professionals from developing countries are able to contribute to implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. [UNFCCC Press Release]

Garama 3C – Climate Change Training developed two courses on climate change adaptation. ‘Climate Change Adaptation and Mainstreaming’ and ‘Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) for Adaptation’ will be offered in Norwich, UK, from 19-21 June 2017 and from 22-23 June 2017, respectively. Garama 3C Ltd provides consultancy and training services to clients who need to consider the implications of climate change in their planning and operations. [Climate Change Adaptation and Mainstreaming Course Webpage] [M&E for Adaptation Course Webpage] [WeADAPT Press Release]

These training courses contribute to achieving SDG target 13.3 (Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning).


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