18 September 2017: The UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee (TEC) gathered to discuss a range of issues related to technology development and transfer ahead of the Bonn Climate Change Conference. The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) and partners launched a call for proposals for women-led sustainable energy enterprises in West Africa. The UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and partners opened registration for an online course on climate change and agriculture.

The TEC, the policy arm of the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, convened for its 15th meeting (TEC 15) in Bonn, Germany, from 12-15 September 2017. Participants heard updates on the TEC’s participation in the Bonn Climate Change Conference, held in May 2017, as well as the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) to the UNFCCC, and on the Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM) designed to support implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). TEC 15 also discussed implementation of its 2016-2018 rolling workplan as it relates to technology needs assessments (TNAs), climate technology financing, technologies for mitigation and adaptation, as well as innovation and research, development and demonstration (RD&D). [TEC 15 Webpage] [TEC 15 Provisional Agenda] [CTCN Press Release]

The CTCN/ECREEE/PFAN call for proposals is part of the CTCN/ECOWAS project on ‘Mainstreaming gender for a climate-resilient energy system in West Africa,’ which helps to advance SDGs 5 (gender equality), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 10 (reduced inequalities) and 13 (climate action).

The CTCN, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) and the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN) issued a call for proposals for women-led sustainable energy enterprises in West Africa. Invited to apply are women-led businesses employing clean energy solutions to facilitate women’s economic empowerment in the ECOWAS countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo) and seeking investments of up to US$50 million.

The initiative is part of the CTCN/ECOWAS project on ‘Mainstreaming gender for a climate-resilient energy system in West Africa,’ which helps to advance SDGs 5 (gender equality), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 10 (reduced inequalities) and 13 (climate action).

The CTCN is the implementation arm of the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, hosted by UN Environment (UNEP) and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). [Call for Proposals for Women-led Sustainable Energy Enterprises in West Africa] [Mainstreaming Gender for a Climate-resilient Energy System in West Africa] [CTCN Active Technical Assistance Webpage] [ECOWAS Website] [ECREEE Website] [UNIDO Press Release]

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), in partnership with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), launched a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on climate change and agriculture. Topics covered in the course include: adaptation, agriculture and food security; national adaptation planning; climate change impacts and risks; governance, coordination and finance; and communications, monitoring and evaluation. Timed to launch in parallel with COP 23, the course will start on 13 November 2017. [UNITAR Press Release] [UNDP Climate Change Adaptation Press Release] [Course Registration Link]

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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.