United Nations Development Programme UNDP Handbook for conducting technology needs assessments and Preliminary analysis of countries’ TNAs

UNFCCC Seminar on the development and transfer on environmentally sound technologies for adaptation to climate change

Trinidad and Tobago, 14-16 June 2005 Yamil Bonduki

TNA Handbook

• Provides a framework to conduct a TNA from a climate change and developmental perspective • A process to prioritize technologies, practices, and policy reforms to address mitigation and adaptation by enhancing resilience and contributing to sustainable development • A “quick” reference to the key issues and considerations to bear in mind throughout the TNA process

Structure of the Handbook

• Key activities involved in a TNA • Distinctive issues and process (mitigation and adaptation) • Cross-cutting issues in each step of TNA • Implementation from a proactive follow-up perspective • Supporting information related to technological resources

Intended outcomes of TNA

• National policy development: Government decisions to integrate sustainable development and climate change • Adaptation and mitigation inter-relation: Explore linkages to formulate a comprehensive strategy for technology transfer • Project formulation: TNA process as a platform for the formulation of specific technology transfer projects • Technology transfer community: Consultation and coordination among stakeholders to support implementation process

Key activities in technology needs assessment Activity 1: Prepare initial review of options & resources Activity 2: Identify technology criteria for assessment Activity 3: Prioritize sectors and select key technology(ies) Activity 4: Identify barriers and policy needs (*) Activity 5: Define and select options Activity 6: Prepare a synthesis report Implementation actions

*

note that Activity 4 (identifying barrier) is also a cross-cutting issue

TNA for mitigation and adaptation

• TNA for mitigation fairly straightforward: clear objective, target specific, known GHG sources, substantive experience in the field, wide range of technologies available, continuous research and innovation • TNA for adaptation more complex and challenging: inherent uncertainty of impacts and vulnerability, site specific, limited examples, long-term effects, broader stakeholders (usually at community level), technology implications not always evident, complex investment decisions

Issues in identification of technology needs for adaptation

• Emphasis on the most vulnerable sectors/areas • Wide stakeholders involvement to identify priorities • Linkages with other national priorities, e.g. poverty reduction, biodiversity preservation, combating desertification • Addressing current climate risks and future impacts • Identification of hard and soft technologies, including know-how

Issues in identification of technology needs for adaptation (cont)

• Extent of sector-specific vulnerabilities or hazards • Indirect impacts on other sectors and socio-economic implications • Adaptive capacity of vulnerable sectors, populations • Risks of implementing mal-adaptation options • Potential of “soft” technologies to build resilience

TNA implementation actions and opportunities

• Assessing financial and technical resources required • Monitoring plan to asses progress and make adjustments • Building on potential synergies with existing relevant initiatives • Identifying ways to reduce barriers at different stages • Ensuring continued stakeholders involvement • Institutionalizing the process for sustainability • Revising implementation plans as needed

TNA Handbook

• Available at our website: www.undp.org/cc in English, French and Spanish • Hard copies will be send to participants by mail if so requested

UNDP preliminary analysis of some TNA’ reports

Preliminary analysis of countries’ TNA reports

• Fourteen country reports reviewed • Most countries tend to be highly vulnerable to climate change due to current socio-economic conditions and reliance on natural resources • GHG emissions are generally low but expected to grow as a result of economic growth, improved quality of life, and rise in energy demand • Climate change a lesser concern in the face of more urgent development priorities

Target areas of TNA studies

• Target areas appear to be based on national circumstances as well as the capacity to conduct TNA • Six countries addressed both mitigation and adaptation • Eight countries addressed mitigation only • One country addressed adaptation only • Countries adopted a sectoral approach for their TNA

Approaches adopted for TNA studies

• Most countries began with a preliminary list of sectors and technology options • Base line information at the sectoral or national level was taken into account in TNAs • Socio-economic plans, development goals and GHG emissions reduction potential were also considered • Options were assessed and ranked using a matrix approach on a set of pre-determined criteria • Stakeholders were involved in the TNA in most cases

Prioritization criteria for technology needs

• Commonly used prioritization criteria include: – Development benefits – Market potential – Environmental protection – Climate change protection • Other criteria used include: – Contribution to MDG – Social acceptability and suitability – Institutional and organisational capacity – Policy criteria and potential of government support – Cost/benefit and risk/benefit analysis

Share of mitigation options by sector

Land-use and forestry 6% Waste 9% Agriculture 14% Energy 23% Residential & Commercial 17% Transport 16% Industry 15%

Share of adaptation options by sectors

Systematic observation 8% Waste 5% Land-use and forestry 13% Agriculture 28% Energy 10% Coastal area 11% Water resources 10% Health 15%

Non-technological options

• In addition to technological options, countries also identified policies, regulations, standards and codes • Awareness raising and education were identified as critical elements of the TNA • Non-technological options needed to create an environment conducive to the adoption of hard technologies

Some lessons learned from TNA studies

• Development as the biggest priority • Lack of an enabling environment • Importance of capacity building • Importance of the role of the Government and the private sector, including stakeholders and civil society • Cost as one of the highest barriers in technology transfer • Importance of existing policies, sectoral and national • Need to address cross-sectoral issues, including linkages between mitigation and adaptation priorities • TNA to provide input for development of project proposals

Some gaps in TNA reports

• Selection of sectors were not always clearly justified • Not all countries provided the basis for the choice of technologies • Methodology of assessment was not always described • Although most countries involved stakeholders, their roles and contribution were not explained • Not all countries identified barriers and capacity building needs • Follow-up activities usually not addressed