Promoting the effective development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies is critical in enabling developing countries to pursue their objectives for sustainable development in a climate-friendly manner. The Convention therefore urges developed country Parties and Annex II Parties to take all practicable steps to promote, facilitate and finance, as appropriate, the transfer of, or access to, environmentally sound technologies and know-how to other Parties, particularly to developing countries, to enable them to implement the provisions of the Convention. Continue

Development and transfer of technologies

Promoting and enhancing action on the development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies to developing country Parties  is critical to supporting action on mitigation of greenhouse gases and adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change.

Technology Mechanism

The Technology Mechanism established by the Cancun Agreements in December 2010 represents a step to move beyond the 'conventional' approach to technology transfer under the Convention undertaken in the past – based essentially on capacity building and technology needs assessments – to a more 'dynamic' arrangement geared towards fostering public-private partnerships; promoting innovation; catalyzing the use of technology road maps or action plans; responding to developing country Party requests on matters related to technology transfer; and facilitating joint R&D activities. The Technology Mechanism consists of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN).

The Technology Mechanism, which became fully operational in 2012, will play a meaningful role in making a "real" difference as envisaged by the Cancun Agreements. Importantly, the Technology Mechanism must become an integrated and coherent entity which is both flexible in its design and operations and effective in carrying out its tasks to support the ultimate objective of the Convention. It would do this through accelerating international, regional and national technology development and transfer action that supports mitigation and adaptation on the ground at a scale that can make an impact on the global effort.

Technology Executive Committee

The TEC, as the policy component of the Technology Mechanism, facilitates the effective implementation of the Technology Mechanism, consistent with its functions. The TEC also further implements the technology transfer framework, with special attention given to supporting the important ongoing effort of developing country Parties to identify and prioritize their technology needs through Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs). The TNA process is supported by the Poznan strategic programme on technology transfer.

Climate Technology Centre and Network

The CTCN, the implementation component of the Technology Mechanism, facilitates the effective implementation of the Technology Mechanism, consistent with its functions. One of the primary functions of the CTCN is to respond to requests from developing country Parties, sent through their national designated entities, on matters related to the development and transfer of technology. Both the TEC and the CTCN are accountable to and operate under the guidance of the COP.

TT:CLEAR – the UNFCCC home for technology

TT:CLEAR aims to provide information on all technology activities under the Convention. It showcases developing country technology projects seeking support and projects that developed countries have supported under Convention. In particular, it highlights the results of technology needs assessments, such as technology action plans, that are ready to be supported. In addition, TT:CLEAR also showcases the work of the TEC, in particular the TEC’s policy recommendations on technology development and transfer.