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Technology transfer (TT) is the process by which skills, methods, research or ideas and physical technologies are transferred from one place to another. Shifting an industrially advanced concept from one place to another can allow a developing country to forgo the costs of full scale development of that technology. In the context of climate change this is usually energy-efficient or low emission technologies or processes developed from the industrialised world passed to the developing world. 
 
United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The importance of TT was highlighted with the UNFCCC’s identification of the need for developing countries to get assistance with regard to mitigating the effects of climate change; without assistance for the developing world it is implausible that any global emission target can be reached. Industrialised countries have both the resources (in terms of infrastructure and finances) and stock of skills to better develop these technologies and, in the interests of addressing climate change, Developing nations need direct access to this. This has lead the UNFCCC to make Technology Transfer a central proponent for action in combating climate change; in order for better participation of developing nations effective low or no cost technologies must be successfully transferred.
 
Technology Transfer was one of four key proponents discussed at The Bali convention in 2007. The general theme of much of this is the need for cooperation between countries in all aspects of TT, the need for the quick creation/adoption/implementation, the need for low cost solutions, and the need for sector specific breakdown and identification of priority sectors.

The Barriers
The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change has identified several issues inhibiting straightforward Technology Transfer:
  • The financing gap that exists between the cost required for the development of clean technologies and the capability of developing countries.
  • There are trade barriers to TT especially tariff based issues. In addition developing countries often have poor economic management, inhibiting TT. 
  • There is poor access to information in the developing world with limited awareness on the individual and firm basis as to the benefits of clean technology.
  • Intergovernmental issues create difficulties; there is institutional corruption on both the developing and industrialised sides, lack of support for free trade, and a general reluctance from the Developed world to pursue TT policies.
Intellectual property rights (IPR)
Perhaps the biggest challenge to Technology Transfer relates to international property rights.  IPR is the general term for the appointment of rights over property through patents, copyrights, and trademarks.  These allow the holder to possess a monopoly on the use of the item for a specified period of time. They are a necessary component in the sustainable functioning of many industries such as the pharmaceuticals and publishing industries.

Many rights to clean technologies are owned by private companies who are interested in having their rights maintained and upheld in the developing world.  Therefore if stringent protection is not in place in a host country this acts as a deterrent for transfer.  On the other hand companies may insist on high licensing costs that are beyond the means of developing nations, thus inhibiting TT.

Technology Transfer: Development in progress
Though cooperation, innovation, and magnanimous practices for TT have often been touted so far the actual results on the international stage have been disappointing (especially with regard to IPR issues). Resolutions that must be further discussed in Copenhagen are mandatory affordable licenses, a license purchasing fund, greater international cooperation, and expansion of the Clean Development Mechanism (issuing carbon credits for clean technology development by industrialised developing nations.) 


Despite the lack of movement on the international stage there are good news stories to be found on the ground where communities are taking advantage of clean technology to improve facilities and prospects in a cost-effective way:
What do you think? Leave a reply and let us know...

Want to learn more?
The Global Development Research Centre has articles on the basics of technology transfer:
Technology Transfer for Sustainable Development 
Technology Transfer for Climate Change

“Technology Transfer and Human Rights: Joining up the Dots”, Stephen Humphreys, Spring 2009, Sustainable Development Law & Policy, Volume IX, Issue 3

Further reading on barriers to Technology Transfer:
"Barriers to the transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies", Intergovernmental Panel  on Climate Change

Further reading on Intellectual Property Rights:
Intellectual Property Organisation

“Climate Change, Technology Transfer and IPRs: Recent Developments and the Way Forward”, Ahmed Abdel Latif, June 2009, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development
 


Comments

Matthew

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:39:21

I think this is perhaps the single most important angle in the overall climate change context. Developing countries cannot afford to develop their own means to fight climate change across the board. What interests me most with this idea, though, is that it has the potential to tackle other issues that people of goodwill have invested interest in, like global poverty. Green technology has enormous economic rewards and this is very healthy for a developing country.

The transferral of skills and knowledge is nothing new for the international devlopment charity sector; therefore, it would be highly advantageous for the NGO community to be involved in the implementation of this strategy.

 

Tasnim

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:36:17

I think that not only should countries transfer technologies..but world universities and companies should make greater effort in providing full scholarships to young people from developing countries to train them and equip them with the skills needed to both raise awareness and become a type of ambassador of climate change for the good!!

 



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