The Technology Mechanism under the UNFCCC: Ways Forward

The document analyzes the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, consisting of the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTC&N). It argues that for the mechanism to succeed, it must move beyond a linear view of technology transfer to a systemic innovation approach. Key recommendations include promoting cooperative research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) to bridge the 'valley of death' in financing, creating 'enabling environments' through both push and pull factors in developed and developing nations, and establishing a dedicated technology funding window within the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

• The Technology Mechanism is composed of two primary pillars: the Technology Executive Committee (TEC), which provides policy advice and ensures balanced governance, and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTC&N), which serves as the implementation arm to provide expertise on the ground.
• Effective technology transfer requires a systemic approach to innovation rather than a linear one, necessitating the creation of 'enabling environments' in both developing countries (pull factors) and industrialised countries (push factors).
• Cooperative research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) programmes are recommended to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences, solve intellectual property rights controversies through joint patents, and reduce wasteful duplication of research.
• There is a significant financing gap known as the 'valley of death' when technologies move from R&D to the demonstration phase, as investment capital needs increase while companies' ability to raise it remains low.
• The document recommends that the Technology Mechanism support the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in operationalising a specific funding window for technology development and transfer to overcome market barriers and the high risks associated with R&D.

APA

Blanco, G., de Coninck, H., & Würtenberger, L. (2012). The Technology Mechanism under the UNFCCC: Ways Forward. Climate Strategies. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/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 Strategies, 2012. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/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 Strategies |date=October 2012 |url=https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/policy-brief-the-technology-mechanism-under-the-unfccc-ways-forward.pdf |access-date=23 October 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 Strategies}, year = {2012}, month = oct, url = {https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/policy-brief-the-technology-mechanism-under-the-unfccc-ways-forward.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }