[A2k] TWN Info: Beijing conference urges overcoming of technology barriers

[Sangeeta]

TWN Info Service on Climate Change (Nov08/03)
11 November 2008
Third World Network
www.twnside.org.sg <http://www.twnside.org.sg>

Climate: Beijing conference urges overcoming of technology barriers
Published in SUNS #6587 dated 11 November 2008

Beijing, 8 Nov (Martin Khor) -- There are many difficulties in transferring
climate change technologies and an effective international mechanism should
be the core of the solution to technology transfer, according to the
conclusions of a high-level conference on climate change held on 7-8
November in Beijing.

At the conference's closing ceremony, a Chair's Summary of conclusions was
presented by Mr. Xie Zhenhua, the Vice Chairman of the National Development
and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top economic policy-making body.

The Chair's summary gave the perspective of the organisers of the outcome of
the conference. Another document, the Beijing Declaration, which was
co-drafted by representatives of various government delegations, was a
factual account with little substantive content.

The Beijing High-level Conference on Climate Change: Technology Development
and Technology Transfer was organised by the UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs and the Chinese government (with the NDRC taking the lead
role).

The conference was attended by over 700 participants, including Ministers
and officials, scholars, representatives of companies and NGOs, from 70
countries.

Following an opening session, which was addressed by the Chinese prime
minister Mr. Wen Jiaboa, the environment Ministers of several countries
(including Holland, Denmark, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Argentina) and the
heads of UN agencies (the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the
UNFCCC and UNIDO), participants divided into three thematic roundtables.

The three parallel tracks discussed (1) the status of technology transfer,
obstacles and best practices; (2) mechanisms for overcoming barriers and
obstacles to technology transfer; and (3) roles and potential collaboration
of the public and private sectors for technology transfer.

According to the Chair's Summary, participants noted that difficulties
remain in international cooperation on promoting technology development and
transfer.

There is a lack of "effective policy guidance and incentives, necessary
financial supports, as well as fair and effective institutional arrangements
for such cooperation. Meanwhile, there is also a need to balance the IPR
protection and needs in fighting climate change."

The Chair's Summary added: "It was believed that establishing an effective
international mechanism is at the core of a solution to technology transfer.
It was noted with appreciation that initiatives proposed by China to
establish an international mechanism for technology transfer, which includes
the establishment of related organizational structure, financial and
performance and monitoring mechanisms supporting technology transfer under
the Convention.

"It was believed that initiatives like this contribute to achieving agreed
outcomes in negotiations on technology development and transfer.

"It was emphasized that the governments of developed countries should
unremittingly take a leading role in promoting technology development and
transfer through necessary fiscal and tax measures and enhanced policy
guidance and incentives."

According to the Summary: "Public finance of developed countries should be
the main financial source of the mechanism for technology transfer.
Meanwhile, it is believed that the roles of market and private sector in
promoting technology transfer shall be given great importance and fully
leveraged."

In an earlier part, the Summary stated that "it was recognized that climate
change is a severe challenge confronting the international community today,
and threatens the survival of mankind and development of every country. All
countries should work together to confront the challenge of climate change.

"It was highlighted that the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol constitute a
legal basis and framework for addressing climate change, that all parties
should, in accordance with the principle of "common but differentiated
responsibilities", pro-actively promote the full, effective and sustained
implementation of the Convention and its Kyoto Protocol in the context of
sustainable development.

"It was underlined that the role of the technology development and
technology transfer is fundamental and critical in effectively combating
climate chance.

"Technology innovation is indispensable for solving the problem of climate
change: transfer and large-scale deployment of existing technology is a sine
qua non for developing countries to effectively combat climate change and
avoid the lock-in effect.

"It was affirmed that the capacity of developing countries in technology
development and deployment is weak, resulting in great demand for the
transfer of climate-friendly technologies.

"The international community should promote international cooperation on
technology transfer under the Convention in accordance with the decisions of
the Bali Roadmap, so as to enable developing countries to have access to
climate-friendly technologies, which is the key to improving the capacity of
developing countries to address climate change.

"It was proposed that each country should bear in mind the common interests
of mankind, go beyond narrow mindset of interests, promote the establishment
of a fair and effective international mechanism for technology development
and transfer with a view to enhance global capacity of combating climate
change, so as to concretely promote technology transfer and make human
civilization better serve the common interests of the globe."

Earlier, the Co-Chairs of the three roundtables also presented their
reports. In the report of Track A (status of technology, technology
transfer, obstacles to technology transfer and best practices), the Co-Chair
listed the following as barriers to technology transfer:

-- High incremental costs, lack of funds and funding channels.

-- Low capacity of developing countries in absorbing, developing and
deploying environmentally sound technologies.

-- License fees are too high, and additional conditions for technology
transfer.

-- Insufficient transfer of knowhow and the technology for manufacturing key
components.

-- No substantial technology transfer through the Clean Development
Mechanism.

-- Technology owners have no will for technology transfer.

-- Concerns about intellectual property rights.

-- International climate policies are excessively market-based.

On a proposed framework for new technology mechanisms, the Co-Chair said
that governments should get more involved in technology development and
transfer, and institutional arrangements should be set up for bilateral and
multilateral cooperation.

A portfolio should be compiled of policy instruments and mechanisms, of both
domestic policies and international mechanisms.

There should also be a mechanism encouraging renewable energy technologies
and innovation. An adaptation safety net for poor countries should also be
set up. Technology-oriented agreements should be flexible and there should
be partnerships on R&D and on large demonstration projects.

The Co-Chairs for Track B (on mechanisms for overcoming barriers and
obstacles to technology transfer) said that many developing countries have
taken deep national actions whose contributions must be recognised.

In many cases, business as usual methods led to technology diffusion but in
many other cases the speed of diffusion of important climate technologies is
too slow and this needs to be accelerated.

The speed of technology transfer depends on national policies in both the
supplier and receiving countries. There are many reasons for further
acceleration of technology diffusion, as there are a lot of barriers and the
present speed of diffusion cannot meet the needs.

IPRs can be a barrier in some cases while not being a barrier in other
cases. Patent laws are complex and business strategies are also complex,
thus there is need for further studies on the relation between IPRs and
technology transfer.

The group also recognised the need for an institutional mechanism for
technology and for funding that operate under the UNFCCC.