The Technology Mechanism under the UNFCCC: Ways Forward

The document argues that the Technology Mechanism, comprising the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTC&N), must move beyond a linear view of technology transfer to a systemic approach. It recommends balancing 'push factors' from industrialised countries and 'pull factors' in developing countries to create enabling environments. Key proposals include promoting cooperative research, development and demonstration (RD&D) to bridge the 'valley of death' in financing and establishing a dedicated technology funding window within the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

• The Technology Mechanism should adopt a systemic approach to innovation rather than a linear one, recognizing that technology development depends on linkages between various actors and contextual factors.
• Effective technology transfer requires a balance of 'pull factors' in developing countries, such as regulatory frameworks and institutional capacities, and 'push factors' from developed countries, including financial support and the stimulation of private sector participation.
• Cooperative research, development and demonstration (RD&D) is recommended to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences, reduce wasteful duplication of research, and address the investment risks associated with the demonstration phase of the technology cycle.
• Public financing is essential to overcome the 'valley of death', where investment capital needs increase significantly as technologies move from R&D to demonstration, but companies still struggle to raise capital.
• The Technology Mechanism should advocate for and help operationalise a specific funding window for technology development and transfer within the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to ensure support for high-risk R&D and demonstration activities.

APA

Blanco, G., de Coninck, H., & Würtenberger, L. (2012). The Technology Mechanism under the UNFCCC: Ways Forward. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/policy_brief_-_the_technology_mechanism_under_the_unfccc_-_ways_forward.pdf

Chicago

Blanco, Gabriel, Heleen de Coninck, and Laura Würtenberger. The Technology Mechanism under the UNFCCC: Ways Forward. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2012. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/policy_brief_-_the_technology_mechanism_under_the_unfccc_-_ways_forward.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Blanco |first1=Gabriel |last2=de Coninck |first2=Heleen |last3=Würtenberger |first3=Laura |title=The Technology Mechanism under the UNFCCC: Ways Forward |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |date=October 2012 |url=http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/policy_brief_-_the_technology_mechanism_under_the_unfccc_-_ways_forward.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{blanco2012technology, author = {Blanco, Gabriel and de Coninck, Heleen and Würtenberger, Laura}, title = {{The Technology Mechanism under the UNFCCC: Ways Forward}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2012}, month = oct, url = {http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/policy_brief_-_the_technology_mechanism_under_the_unfccc_-_ways_forward.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }