UNEP Barriers to Technology Transfer - Environmentally Sound Technologies and Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol Dr Steve Halls Director International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC)

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre2 IETC  IETC is based in Japan and has two offices – one Osaka and one in Shiga  IETC’s Mandate is the promotion and transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) to developing countries and those with economies in transition

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre3 IETC  IETC’s activities assist decision makers in governments and other organizations by: –Identifying and solving environmental problems –Assessing and evaluating new technologies for adoption and use –Promoting and demonstrating environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) –Development of tools and techniques to assist in the identification, selection and use of appropriate ESTs

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre4 IETC  The Centre focuses on and integrates water and urban environmental issues by: –Raising awareness –Information exchange –Capacity building –Demonstration projects.  IETC’s Main Programmes areas are: –Energy and Water for Cities –Sustainable Buildings and Construction –Sustainable Transport –Integrated Waste Management –Tools: e-learning, EnRA and EnTA

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre5 EST’s  Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) are technologies that have the –potential for significantly improved environmental performance relative to other technologies. –are less polluting, –use resources in a sustainable manner, –recycle more of their wastes and products, and –handle all residual wastes in a more environmentally acceptable way than the technologies for which they are substitutes.

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre6 EST’s  ESTs are not just individual technologies. They can also be defined as total systems that include know-how, procedures, goods and services, and equipment, as well as organizational and managerial procedures for promoting environmental sustainability.

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre7 EST’s & TNA - Activities  Regional Consultations/Workshops/Seminars  E-questionnaires/surveys  Databases – maESTro, ICPIC, SANet, Nett 21  Knowledge Management & Sharing - “ESTIS”  Expert Meetings  International Seminar  Websites/Communities – “APREN”, “SARNEST”  Portals – “EMERALD”, “KEYSTONE”, “SAFFIRE”  Partners (Co-operation Centres)  UNEP  etc…

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre8 Summary - TNA, EST’s & Issues  Current efforts and established processes of technology transfer are not sufficient.  Decision-makers lack of ability to prioritize, identify and select ESTs.  Governments need to enact policies that lower costs and stimulate a demand for ESTs.  Need to integrate human skills, organisational development and information networks for effective technology transfer.

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre9 Summary - TNA & EST’s  Barriers to EST Transfer: –This is largely due to the inadequacy of information and decision support tools used to quantify and qualify the merits of ESTs and related investments. –The challenge is even greater in the context of developing countries, given the complexity of factors that influence and determine investment decisions.

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre10 Summary - TNA & EST’s  Barriers (contd) –Inadequacy of information and decision support tools represents a significant challenge –Lack of cooperation amongst governments, corporations and the financial community is needed for investments in ESTs to occur. –Governments, the private sector and citizens are not coordinated in their activities. –Lack of systems for collecting, synthesizing and feeding back information and knowledge on ESTs. These must be developed and maintained.

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre11 TNA & EST’s  What can be done? –Encourage the adoption and use of ESTs by use of both voluntary approaches and a regulatory framework that allows organizations to innovate and become environmentally responsible. –Clarification of existing environmental laws and regulations relating to technology transfer. –Coordination and harmonization with international programmes and initiatives on technology assessment and verification. –Develop “simple, easy-to-use’ risk management tools for the finance (including investors) sector.

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre12 TNA & EST’s –Reduction of significant gaps in the abilities of both information providers and information users. –Technology users and intermediaries could do a better job in selecting ESTs if they knew the range of information systems available and the quality, reliability and veracity of information they contain. –Technology providers could do a better job of promoting their ESTs if they were more familiar with the target audiences and the quality, reliability and veracity requirements of these information systems.

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre13 TNA & EST’s  Investments in ESTs and eco-efficient practices require transparent, credible information on which decisions can be based.  Well-defined, effectively applied critieria and guidelines for the identification and selection of ESTs are required  Technology performance assessment processes can encourage the adoption and use of ESTs.  Continuous review and improvement is essential for the creation of an effective system that is responsive to changing social, economic and political realities.

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre14 Priorities: EST’s  By raising public and private interest towards ESTs in developing countries, substantial progress could be made.  To guide this process, actions are needed now in the following areas: –Defining what are ESTs (cf. Chapter 34, Agenda 21) –Development of criteria and guidelines on EST identification and selection –Development of environmental performance criteria and guidelines for ESTs –Establishment of EST Information and Knowledge sharing (regional) networks –Regional, national and local priorities, goals and objectives for the adoption and use of ESTs –Establishing an enabling financial environment to enhance the adoption and use of ESTs.

UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre15 Thank you for your attention. IETC Website