2 December 2014: The UNFCCC Secretariat organized an event showcasing the accomplishments of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) in fulfilling their mandates and facilitating the implementation of the Technology Mechanism. The event, ‘Technology Mechanism: Enhancing Technology Cooperation for Action on Climate Change,’ took place on the sidelines of the Lima Climate Change Conference.

Gabriel Blanco, TEC Chair, introduced the Technology Mechanism’s mandate and components, noting that it is now fully operational and assisting parties as they formulate technology policy, bolster technology development capacity and participate in technology transfer. Blanco also provided insights on the TEC’s 2014-2015 workplan, its annual report to the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 20) to the UNFCCC, the results of completed Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) and recommendations to the COP on linkages between technological and financial mechanisms.

Presenting on CTCN’s mandate and core services, Jukka Uosukainen, CTCN Director, underscored, inter alia: the country-driven structure of CTCN; that knowledge in the North needs to be adapted to conditions in the South; the role of National Designated Entities (NDEs) in submitting requests to CTCN; efforts to strengthen the capacity of developing countries to identify technology options and operate, maintain and adapt technology.

Asher Lessels, UNFCCC Secretariat, presented the UNFCCC’s technology information clearing house, called “ttclear,” providing an overview of the platform and its main elements. Karina Larsen, CTCN Knowledge and Communications Manager, presented the CTCN portal as its knowledge management system, introduced its main sections and functions and invited feedback.

In the ensuing discussion, participants from numerous countries offered accounts of their experiences in collaborating with the CTCN. Others posed questions regarding, inter alia: the process of submitting requests to CTCN and the role of NDEs; characteristics of successful projects; and deadlines for applications.

The COP established the Technology Mechanism in 2010 to facilitate the implementation of enhanced action on technology development and transfer to support action on mitigation and adaptation. CTCN is the operational arm of the Mechanism. [IISD RS ENBOTS Coverage] [IISD RS ENBOTS Video Coverage of Side Event] [IISD RS Coverage of Lima Climate Change Conference] [UNFCCC Event Announcement] [CTCN Webpage] [TEC Webpage] [UNFCCC Press Release]