Climate Change Technology Development and Transfer in Kenya
What is Climate Change Technology?
Climate change technology is any technology employed to address climate change impacts (adaptation) or to limit/reduce greenhouse gas emission (mitigation). Such technology may be either existing elsewhere and require adapting to local conditions; or may be locally available and require up-scaling. Alternatively, local challenges may lead to the innovation of new technologies, or new ways of deploying old or existing technology.
Why Climate Change Technology Development and Transfer in Kenya
Due to intellectual property rights (IPR), most cutting edge appropriate technologies are inaccessible to developing countries that need them most. These technologies would enable Kenya to significantly and rapidly enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities. Similarly, these technologies would enable an effective and speedy progress in Kenya’s low carbon development pathway towards achieving Vision 2030.
The UN climate change Technology Development and Transfer arrangements
Technology Mechanism
Within the UNFCCC process, countries have confirmed the importance of enhancing climate technology development and transfer to developing countries. To facilitate this, in 2010 the Conference of the Parties established the Technology Mechanism. The Technology Mechanism consists of two bodies: the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN).
Technology Executive Committee
The TEC is the Technology Mechanism’s policy body. It analyses issues and provides policy recommendations that support country efforts to enhance climate technology development and transfer. The TEC consists of 20 technology experts representing both developed and developing countries. It meets several times a year and holds climate technology events that support efforts to address key technology policy issues.
Climate Technology Centre and Network
The CTCN is the implementation body of the Technology Mechanism. It facilitates the transfer of technologies through three core services: (a) providing technical assistance at the request of developing countries to accelerate the transfer of climate technologies; (b) creating access to information and knowledge on climate technologies, particularly through its knowledge management system; and (c) fostering collaboration among climate technology stakeholders via its network of regional and sectoral experts.
The CTCN is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and is supported by 11 partner institutions. The Centre promotes the accelerated transfer of environmentally sound technologies for low carbon and climate resilient development at the request of developing countries sent through their national designated entities, on matters related to the development and transfer of technology. The Centre facilitates a network of national, regional, sectoral and international technology centres, networks, organizations and private sector entities. CTCN provides technology solutions, capacity building and advice on policy, legal and regulatory frameworks tailored to the needs of individual countries. The CTCN is accountable to and under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties through the CTCN Advisory Board.
How is climate change Technology Development and Transfer done in Kenya?
Requests for technical assistance are submitted by CTCN National Designated Entities (NDE). NDEs are selected by each country to coordinate requests from local/national governments, NGOs, and/or the private sector for capacity building and technical assistance. The Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) is Kenya’s national designated entity (NDE) for CTCN. Apart from KIRDI, Kenya has four other Centre Network members include: Kenya National Cleaner Production Centre (network member); EED Advisory Limited (network member); Carbon Africa (knowledge partner), and the Climate Innovation Centre Kenya (network member.
Kenyan actors interested in developing or accessing various climate technologies are encouraged to make use of the NDE and take advantage of the Centre Network membership within the country.