Demand for the services of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) reached a record high in 2019. The CTCN reported that requests for technology assistance submitted by developing countries increased 240% over the last 12-month period. Taking into account that requests were often submitted jointly by several countries at once, the growth in demand for technology support can be considered even higher. In its 2019 CTCN Progress Report, the CTCN presents trends in technology demand as countries around the world scale up their climate change efforts.
One such country is the Cook Islands, where like many small island developing states, the government is working to identify the equipment, techniques, practical knowledge and skills needed to implement its Nationally Determined Contribution. The Office of the Prime Minister, together with the CTCN and its partner the UNEP DTU Partnership, are therefore conducting a national Technology Needs Assessment in the Cook Islands to support this effort. Based upon this process, a roadmap for prioritized technologies will guide technology development and transfer activities for strengthened climate resilience and low-carbon development in the 15-island nation.
“The CTCN has proven to be a trusted partner for developing countries to access the means of implementation, and its continued deployment of technology expertise will be vital to scaling up the level of ambition required to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement”, says Patricia Espinosa, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Established by the Conference of Parties, the Climate Technology Centre & Network connects countries’ technology goals with world-class expertise, providing targeted interventions that help unlock transformational climate change action. The CTCN delivers support across a broad spectrum of technology needs, from identifying technology priorities, conducting feasibility studies and piloting technologies, to building enabling policy and regulatory environments that facilitate upscaling and finance. The Centre has received 240 technology requests from 93 countries.
“To meet this growing demand, we have taken many steps to scale up our support this year. We completed our 100th technical assistance intervention, added our 500th Network member, and through our accredited co-hosts UN Environment Programme and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), submitted our 25th Readiness proposal for consideration by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Other vital new partnerships will be announced at COP25”, noted Dr. Rose Mwebaza, CTCN Director.
52% of requests received by the CTCN focus on mitigation, while 27% are adaptation related, with a strong emphasis on agriculture and forestry. 21% of requests impact both adaptation and mitigation.
The CTCN and the Technology Executive Committee together form the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Technology Mechanism. At COP25, the two bodies will share how the Technology Mechanism plans to further assist countries with raising and implementing their climate change commitments at a December 2nd event: Delivering technological transformation to support countries in implementing the Paris Agreement.
Read the report here: https://www.ctc-n.org/resources/2019-ctcn-progress-report