The technology linkage: An useful linkage

Among the many side events today, we were amazed to find a so far not experienced enthusiasm in a successful example of synergy between knowledge, expertise and concrete proposals in problem solving: the Technology Mechanism.

By Daniele Saguto and Chiara Zanotelli

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This mechanism was established in 2010 during the COP16 in Cancun with the aim of creating a network of all the stakeholders committed in the implementation of enhanced action on technology development and transfer to support action on mitigation and adaptation.

This instrument has a policy soul, the Technology Executive Committee (TEC), and an implementation one, embodied by the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). The main idea of the project is to provide helpful Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) and, on that base, Technology Action Plans (TAPs) to all those countries willing to use this tools. TNAs identify, prioritize and highlight technology needs, while TACys address specific barriers, identify targets, strategies, budgets and responsible stakeholders for prioritized technologies.

Technology application has always revealed to be an enduring and complex process, being it of fundamental importance, in order to produce a complete assessment, to keep into consideration political, economical, ecological and social factors. This all-encompassing mechanism managed to finely join in a well structured network all the essential components presenting itself as a open system that invites to submit contributions and requests respectively from the private and the public sectors.

Another interesting element is that the process may include consideration of a variety of approaches, linking relevant factors, such as development and transfer of hard and soft technologies, including knowledge, accounting for diversities and promoting the employment.

Having a broad scope it has all the credentials to succeed in its mandate if Countries will trust it both in submitting the requests and accepting the linkage between the Technology Mechanism and the Financial Mechanism inside the UNFCCC.