Transcript Mr. Mark Radka, Energy Programme Coordinator, UNEP/Paris

UNEP and Technology Transfer
Mark Radka
Energy Programme Coordinator
UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and
Economics
Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Technology Transfer; Cebu, Philippines; 17-19 January 2000
UNEP’s Perspective on
Technology Transfer

Technology transfer must be viewed
broadly: hardware and software elements
are both critical:
– awareness raising, training and capacity
building, sharing of best management practices,
information exchange, networking, outreach
– these ‘softer elements’ lay the foundation for
the successful, sustainable transfer of hardware
– such activities are often underprovided because
their benefits are difficult to capture solely by
the provider
Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Technology Transfer; Cebu, Philippines; 17-19 January 2000
UNEP Perspectives, continued

Technology transfer for addressing climate
change should not be viewed in isolation:
– governments and industry have other
obligations under international conventions and
national laws
An integration of issues / comprehensive
approach is less costly and disruptive
 Emphasis should be on multi-benefit
technologies that address local/national
problems and that have GHG benefits

Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Technology Transfer; Cebu, Philippines; 17-19 January 2000
UNEP’s Role
Remove barriers: primarily related to lack
of awareness, poor capacity or capabilities,
and institutional weaknesses
 Combine private sector focus with
strengthening role of governments in
managing energy/development issues for
the public good

Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Technology Transfer; Cebu, Philippines; 17-19 January 2000
UNEP’s Role, continued

Forward looking approaches:
– Technology verification: What is an EST?
How does the definition change over time?
Who determines this? Who verifies claims?
– Cross-cutting issues: issue of HFCs and ozone
layer protection under Montreal Protocol /
climate change under FCCC
Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Technology Transfer; Cebu, Philippines; 17-19 January 2000
UNEP’s Activities - Asia Pacific
TT Clearinghouse in UNEP-GEF Strategic
Partnership
 GEF-supported investment advisory service
 Sustainable Energy Advisory Facility
 RETs barriers in Pacific Islands
 ODS officers networks for SE and S Asia
 National Cleaner Production Centres

Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Technology Transfer; Cebu, Philippines; 17-19 January 2000
Some Suggestions

Also useful to look at technology transfer
issue from reverse perspective:
– ‘facilitating the transfer of ESTs’ becomes
‘discouraging the transfer of non-ESTs’
– technology assessments, promoting use of
standards (e.g., energy efficiency standards,
labeling, technology standards to prevent
import or outdated technologies and equipment)
Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on Technology Transfer; Cebu, Philippines; 17-19 January 2000