Global partners kick off Technology Needs Assessment Round 3

The third round of the Technology Needs Assessment project has started. Based on partnerships with local organisations, UNEP DTU Partnership coordinates a locally rooted process.

June 26, 2018

With new partners on board, UNEP DTU Partnership has launched its third round of the Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) project.

To enhance the development, transfer, deployment and dissemination of technology UNEP DTU has assisted countries in preparing their TNAs since 2009. TNAs support developing countries to determine their own climate technology needs so it is possible to define how best to accelerate a low-emission, climate resilient and sustainable development path.

Since 2009, UNEP DTU has worked with more than 60 countries on their TNAs and is now ready to start the process in another 23 countries. This time there is a special focus on least developed countries and small island developing states, and how technology can best help them in achieving their national targets set under the global Paris Agreement.

Locally anchored

One of the new partners is the University of South Pacific. Supported by 12 pacific island states, the university is in a unique position when it comes to supporting countries in analysing their local technology needs.

Another university, the University of the West Indies, also joins the TNA project for the first time, bringing in expertise from islands in the Caribbean region.

Along with ENDA Energie, the Energy Research Centre at University of Cape Town, Asian Institute for Technology and local consultants, the partners joined a kick-off session at UNEP DTU Partnership offices in UN City in Copenhagen in late June.

Kick-off

During the kick-off session, UNEP DTU Partnership experts along with our partners in the TNA III project discussed the TNA context, approach and process.

An important point being discussed was the close link between TNAs and countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

Analysing technology needs and barriers, along with identifying enabling framework conditions for technology transfer and uptake, is a key component of the TNA, and can be an important tool for NDC implementation. It was further discussed how aspects of transformational change can be brought into the technology prioritization process.

It was also agreed, that TNA phase III will emphasise the flexibility of the approach so that countries can make most use of the TNA process to support other ongoing national processes as well, such as National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS).

The important next steps in terms of attracting international funding will also be strengthened further.

Built on local needs

The TNA project is built on a bottom-up approach. Local consultants and a needs and demand driven approach ensures that the national technology priorities in the assessments will lead to overall development impacts as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation.

For the first time gender guidance is also an aspect when looking at technology. Countries will receive guidance on how to ensure that new technology benefits society at large with an emphasis on gender equality.

UNEP DTU Partnership and its TNA partners are continuing the discussions with countries on selecting which sectors they want to focus on, and on the planning of inception missions to kick-off the national TNA processes.