The UN Technology Mechanism established the Technology Executive Committee and the Climate Technology Centre and Network to help transfer climate technologies to developing countries. The Technology Executive Committee provides strategic guidance and policy recommendations, while the Climate Technology Centre and Network helps developing countries implement technology projects and build capacity. Both are still in early stages, working to define processes and deliver initial results, but aim to accelerate the development and transfer of low-carbon technologies.

1. UN Technology Mechanism
Technology Executive
Committee
7th Meeting 4-7September 2013
Summary of Status
Arthur Lee
All photos by Arthur Lee.
By Arthur Lee, on behalf of IPIECA and WBCSD as
observer

2. The Cancun Agreement (COP16, 2010) was
made effective with a series of decisions at
COP17 Durban (2011)..
In the Cancun Agreement, the Technology
Mechanism is a new United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) structure which consists of two
components:
• Technology Executive Committee
• Climate Technology Centre and Network
For the first time, emerging from the UNFCCC
is a structure and a process focused on
technology development and deployment and
transfer issues. Technologies deployed will
focus on reducing emissions or adapting to
climate impact risks.
The Technology Mechanism could pose
potential longer term adverse impacts or
facilitate deployment of energy technologies.
As a very early work in progress, it is yet too
early to see whether the Mechanism will be
helpful or not helpful. At the same time, the
Technology Mechanism will be taking up
criteria and capacity for initial “technology
needs assessments” for nations. 2
Technology Mechanism is Operationalizing

3. Technology Mechanism: Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and
the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)
The following picture on the left is drawn by the secretariat of the CTCN, describing an equal role of the
TEC and the Advisory Board in working with the CTC (secretariat and all the partners). The national
designated entities (NDE), nominated by a developed or developing nation, are critical to delivering
results to each developing nation. The Network, as envisioned below, consists of national, regional
and international organizations, including companies in the private sector, relevant to technology
development and transfer.
- 3 -By Arthur Lee, on behalf of IPIECA and WBCSD as
observer

4. - 4 -
Technology Mechanism: Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and
the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)
The following picture on the left is drawn by the CTCN, describing an equal role of the TEC and the
Advisory Board in working with the CTC (secretariat and all the partners). The national designated
entities (NDE), nominated by a developed or developing nation, are critical to delivering results to
each developing nation. The Network, as envisioned below, consists of national, regional and
international organizations, including companies in the private sector, relevant to technology
development and transfer.
What can the private sector do?
• Provide feedback on needs, gaps and
technical/capacity building aspects
• Provide advice on viability of policy
recommendations for low-carbon
investment
• Participation in activities to bring technical
know how into identifying drivers and for
low- carbon investment
• Bring business views to support effective
complementary functioning – technology
experts, trainers, policy, finance and
strategy
• Participate at various levels in a
meaningful way to provide technical and
policy advice
• Support/organize information sharing -
dialogues, open platforms
By Arthur Lee, on behalf of IPIECA and WBCSD as
observer

5. Modalities of the Technology Executive Committee
- 5 -
• Analysis and synthesis
• Policy recommendations;
• Facilitation and catalysing
• Linkage with other institutional arrangements
• Engagement of stakeholders; observers, panels, consultative groups
• Information and knowledge sharing
By Arthur Lee, on behalf of IPIECA and WBCSD as
observer

6. 7th Meeting of TEC (TEC 7)
Incremental actions
• Key Actions
• Reviewed results of the thematic
dialogue on RD&D and draft key
messages for reporting to COP19.
Stakeholders agreed that collaborative
RD&D occurs when objectives and values
are clear to all parties.
• Synthesized the third round of
Technology Needs, identified by non-
Annex I Parties. Mitigation in the
energy, forestry and agricultural sectors
are highest. Adaptation in the agricultural
sector is highest.
- 6 -
There is a sense among the stakeholders and
some in the TEC that the committee is taking
small incremental steps, but also the feeling that
“this has been done before” in terms of more
technology needs assessments and knowing
conceptually already all the barriers to
innovation, technology development and
deployment..

7. 7th Meeting of TEC (TEC 7)
Considering elements of rolling work plan 2014-2015
• RD&D “the national innovation system” –
potential workshop or thematic dialogue
• Technology Needs Assessments – key lessons
learned and recommendations to policymakers
(a TEC Brief)
• Barriers and Enabling Frameworks – key
lessons learned and recommendations to
policymakers (a TEC Brief)
• TT: Clear – Expand the use of the web site and
database to be made more useful to Parties
• Collaboration with relevant institutions – e.g.,
Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Committee
• Work with the CTCN
• Context of the mandated 2015 agreement
- 7 -
Key Questions for the TEC and CTCN:
Is there demand from developing nations for the
products and services of the TEC and CTCN?
How will the Technology Mechanism work with
other UNFCCC bodies and non-Convention
bodies, in the context of funding and services?
By Arthur Lee, on behalf of IPIECA and WBCSD as
observer

8. Appendix
What is the Technology Mechanism?
- 8 -

9. Outline (February 2012 Background Briefing)
What is the Technology Mechanism?
• Technology Executive Committee (TEC)
• Climate Technology Center and Network (CTCN)
• Elements of the TEC Rolling Work Plan 2012-2013
- 9 -
UNFCCC Technology Mechanism sets out new UN infrastructure to take
action on the general area of “technology transfer.” Technology Executive
Committee is now established and in very early stage of organizing itself
and its work, including evaluating the bids for the host institution for the
Climate Technology Center.

10. The Cancun Agreement established the Technology Mechanism
and the associated Technology Executive Committee to help
transfer technologies to the developing nations. Decision at
COP17 includes: …
“… 4. Notes that the modalities elaborated by the Technology
Executive Committee, which are based on the functions of the
Technology Executive Committee as decided by decision
1/CP.16, include the following six key elements:
(a) Analysis and synthesis;
(b) Policy recommendations;
(c) Facilitation and catalysing;
(d) Linkage with other institutional arrangements;
(e) Engagement of stakeholders;
(f) Information and knowledge sharing;
5. Stresses the importance of engaging a broad range of
stakeholders at the international, regional, national and
subnational levels, including public institutions, the business
community, academia and non-governmental organizations,
in conducting its work, and that its work may require the
establishment of institutional interfaces and communication
channels at different levels, which would allow the
Technology Executive Committee to mobilize and leverage a
wider range of expertise and resources. …”
10
Technology Executive Committee
Cancun Agreement is made effective with a series of decisions at COP17 Durban.
Technology Mechanism/ Technology Executive Committee

11. The Climate Technology Centre was agreed as a part of the
Technology Mechanism at COP16 Cancun with these functions
“… 123. Decides that the Climate Technology Centre shall facilitate
a network of national, regional, sectoral and international
technology networks, organizations and initiatives with a view to
engaging the participants of the Network effectively in the following
functions:
(a) At the request of a developing country Party:
(i) Providing advice and support related to the identification
of technology needs and the implementation of
environmentally sound technologies, practices and
processes;
(ii) Facilitating the provision of information, training and
support for programmes to build or strengthen capacity of
developing countries to identify technology options, make
technology choices and operate, maintain and adapt
technology;
(iii) Facilitating prompt action on the deployment of existing
technology in developing country Parties based on identified
needs;
(b) Stimulating and encouraging, through collaboration with the
private sector, public institutions, academia and research
institutions, the development and transfer of existing and emerging
environmentally sound technologies, as well as opportunities for
North–South, South–South and triangular technology cooperation;”
11
Climate Technology Centre and Network
Cancun Agreement is made effective with a series of decisions at COP17 Durban.
Technology Mechanism/ Climate Technology Centre and Network

12. The Climate Technology Centre and Network …
(c) Facilitating a network of national, regional, sectoral and
international technology centres, networks, organization and
initiatives with a view to:
(i) Enhancing cooperation with national, regional and
international technology centres and relevant national
institutions;
(ii) Facilitating international partnerships among public
and private stakeholders to accelerate the innovation
and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to
developing country Parties;
 (iii) Providing, at the request of a developing country
Party, in-country technical assistance and training to
support identified technology actions in developing
country Parties;
 (iv) Stimulating the establishment of twinning centre
arrangements to promote North–South, South–South
and triangular partnerships, with a view to encouraging
cooperative research and development;
 (v) Identifying, disseminating and assisting with
developing analytical tools, policies and best practices
for country-driven planning to support the dissemination
of environmentally sound technologies;
 (d) Performing other such activities as may be necessary to
carry out its functions;
12
Climate Technology Centre and Network
Cancun Agreement is made effective with a series of decisions at COP17 Durban.
Technology Mechanism/ Climate Technology Centre and Network

13. The Technology Executive Committee (TEC)…
Is composed of a geographically mandated diverse set of
members: 9 (Annex I) + 9 (non-Annex I) + 2 (SIDS , LDC)
Sets out four mandated actions to report to the SBI (SB36,
May 2012).
The four actions are:
Nominate the Evaluation Panel to evaluate the bids of
potential host organization of the Climate Technology
Centre
Encourage broad stakeholders engagement
Establish linkages to organizations within the Climate
Change Convention and outside the Convention
Rolling Work Plan 2012-2013
At the Second TEC meeting, the TEC invited a number of
outside organizations including the ICC, the World Resources
Institute, and the World Business Council on Sustainable
Development to discuss their views about TEC’s potential
work elements..
13
Technology Executive Committee Evaluates Bids for Hosting CTC
Formative stage February 2012
The effectiveness of the TEC and the CTCN to enhance
action on technology development and transfer in
mitigation and adaptation is too early to be assessed. The
key question is whether there are enough resources and
capacity to carry out its work, even if the work becomes
better defined.

14. Areas for future collaboration at TEC
level
 Analysis and synthesis
 Policy recommendations;
 Facilitation and catalysing
 Linkage with other institutional
arrangements
 Engagement of stakeholders;
observers, panels, consultative
groups
 Information and knowledge sharing
TEC modalities What the private sector can do
•Provide feedback on needs, gaps and
technical/capacity building aspects
• Provide advice on viability of policy
recommendations for low-carbon investment
• Participation in activities to bring technical
know how into identifying drivers and for low-
carbon investment
•Bring business views to support effective
complementary functioning – technology
experts, trainers, policy, finance and strategy
•Participate at various levels in a meaningful
way to provide technical and policy advice
•Support/organize information sharing -
dialogues, open platforms

15. Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) in Copenhagen
The CTCN is operated by the United Nations Environment Programme and UNIDO in cooperation with
a consortium of 11 regional Annex I and non-Annex I organizations (e.g., Energy Research Institute,
India; ECN, Netherlands; National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S.)
The CTCN Advisory Board consists of equal numbers of non-Annex I and Annex I members, single
member each from ENGO, RINGO (Heleen de Connick, Radboud University Nijmegen) and BINGO
(Jean-Yves Caneill, Electricité de France), and the chair and vice-chair of the Technology Executive
Committee. Other members include one representative of the Green Climate Fund and one from the
Adaptation Committee, which is designed to strenghten interactions between the funding mechanism
and the adaptation work to be conducted via the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The facility is hosted by the Government of Denmark at the location called UN City, Copenhagen, for at
least 2 years.
The funding for the CTCN is so far short of its projected needs of $44 million for five years. $13 million
has been secured so far from Denmark, Switzerland, Japan, Canada and the European Commission
for 2013-2015. UNEP is also approaching U.S. and Norway for funding.
- 15 -

16. Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)
Three Main Functions
• Managing requests [from developing
nations] and responses in the
technology cycle;
• Fostering collaboration to accelerate
technology transfer;
• Strengthening networks,
partnerships and capacity building
for technology development and
transfer
• These three functions will have to be
enabled by modalities, supported by
procedures.
- 16 -
Modalities and procedures need to be reviewed and
approved by the Advisory Board (AB). Then the
modalities and procedures have to be agreed to by the
Subsidiary Body on Implementation. COP19 will
review and formally adopt the final modalities and
procedures.
Bottom photo: Kenihiko Shimada (Japan) consults
with Heleen de Connick (Netherlands) representing
research organizations.

17. Climate Technology Centre and Network:
Very Early Work in Progress
What has been achieved so far by the Climate Technology
Centre and Network?
Deliverables in 2013
• Advisory Board formed and met first time 14-15 May
• Need to approve the modalities and procedures for the
three primary functions of the CTCN
• Need to draft a report to the Subsidiary Body on
Implementation (SBI 38) in June, which would be
reviewed for adoption at COP19, November 2013.
• Advisory Board approved the overall Work Plan of the
CTCN at the first meeting.
- 17 -
UNFCCC Technology Mechanism sets out new structure and process to take action
on the general area of “technology transfer.” Technology Executive Committee has
a strategic and policy planning role. The CTC and its Network (CTCN) need to
deliver results to developing nations who request help from the CTCN. National
designated entities (NDE) in each participating nation will coordinate in-country and
make the request. Oil and gas industry can help shape the NDEs so they become
effective organizations and pose barriers to the business.
Photo: Like the construction site
nearby the UN City, the CTCN is a
very early work in progress

18. Work Plan
Laundry List of Actions to be taken by the CTCN in 2013 (Approved by the AB)
Critical Elements of
the Work Plan
• Recruiting CTC
staff
• Capacity-building
for national
designated entities
(NDE)
• Mapping existing
tools (gap finding)
and developing new
tools and content
for a knowledge
management
system
Color codes were discussed. Red generally means an action being mandated by the COP decisions.
Blue means actions to be taken in that month.

19. Work Plan
Laundry List of Actions to be taken by the CTCN in 2013 (Approved by the AB)
Critical Elements of
the Work Plan
• Modalities and
procedures to
SBI38 and approval
at COP19
• Prioritization criteria
for NDE requests to
the CTCN needs
approval from the
Advisory Board.
• Criteria for joining
the CTC Network
needs approval
from the Advisory
Board.
• Status report to
COP19
Color codes were discussed. Red generally means an action being mandated by the COP decisions.
Blue means actions to be taken in that month.

20. CTCN Advisory Board (AB)
Rules of Procedure
Discussion and agreement to these key rules of
procedure occurred at the first meeting.
• At least two AB meetings per year, or more
frequently if needed.
• A quorum of the Board must be reached at an
AB meeting with 11 members. At least five
members from Annex I and five members from
non-Annex I nations.
• Expert observers may be invited from time to
time to participate in the meetings.
• Observers are allowed to attend the AB
meetings, though the AB can close meetings or
portions of meetings from being observed.
• The chair will allow at least one time during the
AB meeting to invite comments from observers.
• Consensus is preferred, though voting with a
three-fourths majority would be a standard
decision-making mechanism.
- 20 -
Both the TEC and the CTCN allow
and indeed encourage NGOs to
observe the meetings. This open
approach is positive for potential
collaborations and buy-in with
stakeholders, especially with
business NGOs.
Photo: Gabriel Blanco (Argentina) . Left, consults with a colleague..