Effective development and transfer of climate technologies is more crucial than ever. Green technology is key to sustainable development while tackling the interlinked issues of the triple planetary crisis that humanity currently faces: climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
But, how do we assess progress on climate technology?
The new Climate Technology Progress Report 2022 aims to bring more clarity on what leads to successful development and transfer of technology, and to the gaps and enablers in amplifying climate action.
Available information has previously been fragmented, often unsystematic and outdated.
This year’s report focuses on establishing an approach for future tracking of progress on technology development and transfer. The report has been prepared by an international team of experienced scientists, developing the new approach and applying it on data from Africa.
From 2023, the report aims to provide annual insights on climate technology progress, focusing on both industrialized and developing countries, providing both a local and global perspective.
Strategic investments to increase technology transfer and development
The report highlights the importance of financial interventions not only to compensate viability gaps, but to help resolve market failure and contribute to market creation for climate technologies.
It finds that finance holds a key role in relation to the structural constraints that inhibit technology development and transfer.
Looking at data from Africa, the conclusion is, that the large-scale investment required for achieving climate resilient and net-zero sustainable development will require the mobilization of private sector finance. However, the tighter the constraints of public finances are in developing countries, the more important the role of development finance becomes.
Overall, the availability of financial services for investment is a basic factor for the viability of technology development and transfer, the report finds.
Governance and institutions
Assessing dimensions of feasibility for specific technologies to be implemented for both adaptation and mitigation, the report reveals the need to focus on both technological and institutional dimensions.
Results from a survey conducted with African stakeholders shows progress as well as areas where significant improvements are needed in several dimensions of enabling environments.
Further work on integrating climate technology and governance frameworks at national level is essential to the delivery of successful climate technology projects in developing countries in the short, medium and long term.
Regularly updated analyses
The “Climate Technology Progress report” is produced and published as a collaboration between the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre and the UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee (TEC).
The report will be regularly updated with regional-level analyses of feasibility, enabling environments and technology progress, and supplemented with detailed case studies to inform national and international action.
