Climate change & technology transfer: barriers, technologies and mechanisms
Technology transfer is one of the most contentious issues in international negotiations on climate change. Despite its recognition at international platforms such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, G20, etc., the independent review of Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), the operational arm of the UNFCCC’s Technology Mechanism, shows the lack of success in the transfer of environmentally sound technologies. This study examines the barriers to technology transfer and suggests strategies to improve current technology transfer frameworks. While finance is the biggest barrier stated by countries worldwide, the ability to absorb technologies is an equally important factor as is evident from case studies from India. Apart from finance, barriers could arise due to the mode of transfer, the nature of technologies, the sectors (such as energy and transport) in which such technology is sought, intellectual property rights, etc.
