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The Technology Mechanism side event at SB56, hosted jointly by the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the CTCN, was opened by Daniele Violetti, UNFCCC, and Ambrosio Yobanolo de Real, Chile, Chair of the TEC, who emphasized the importance of the joint work between the TEC and the CTCN. He noted the importance of the upcoming joint work programme, especially in the lead-up to 2030, a critical period for the fight against climate change. Omedi Jura, chair of the CTCN Advisory Board, also provided introductory remarks and offered an overview of the key findings of the TEC-CTCN joint publication, Stimulating the Uptake of Technologies in Support of Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation.
Ms. Anne Barre of the Women and Gender Constituency moderated the event, providing a platform for Ambuj Sagar of the Indian Institute of Technology and IPCC author; Kudzai Ndidzano, Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, & Hospitality, Zimbabwe; Lennox Alexander Gladden, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Belize; and Estefanía Ardila Robles, NDC Partnership.
Mr. Sagar spoke about enhancing synergies between NDC implementation and developmental aspirations, and seizing the opportunities that technology offers for future NDCs. Providing a country perspective, Mr. Ndidzano presented a recent CTCN technical assistance project to develop a circular economy roadmap for the waste sector, describing how Zimbabwe explored the great potential in the waste sector to formulate waste targets for both the mitigation and adaptation components of their revised NDC. Mr. Gladden spoke about the inclusive approach used to update Belize’s NDC. This “whole of society” approach promoted a high level of engagement, incorporating indigenous knowledge and fostering a sense of ownership for local communities. Ms. Robles commended countries on the progress made since the first round of NDCs, acknowledging that countries are now better articulating their technology needs. She has seen a growing interest in strengthening enabling environments for greener investments and on mainstreaming technology needs into green recovery strategies.
A lively discussion followed regarding inclusivity, effective technology uptake and what success looks like for a diverse set of countries. Questions were posed regarding technology needs and gaps and the best ways forward to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Panelists touted the importance of updated technology needs assessments that can inform more ambitious NDCs, and of investing in applied technologies tailored to country-specific needs while realizing there are no ‘one size fits all’ technological solutions that are suited to every country.
Rose Mwebaza, CTCN Director, closed the session by commending the hard work and dedication of the panelists and the commitment of the Technology Mechanism. She emphasized the role of innovation and the need to increase collaboration with NDEs on NDC endeavors going forward.
You can watch the recorded event here.
The two entities of the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, the TEC and CTCN, will continue their joint work in 2022 and 2023 on exploring technology’s role in constructing more ambitious NDCs. If you would like to share your comments or experiences regarding this theme, you are welcome to write to the CTCN at [email protected]