Raising awareness about technology transfer projects for environmental sustainability

I wanted to understand how developing countries utilize the opportunity of technology transfer, as per under clean development mechanism (CDM. To clarify: The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a mitigation mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol that aims to finance emissions reduction in developing countries. Although the CDM has no explicit technology mandate, it is expected to facilitate technology transfer (TT). Technology Transfer has the potential to help developing countries reduce emissions effectively through introducing low carbon technologies, development of local know-how on modern technologies and stimulating sustainable development. Within the current CDM design and process, the TT agenda is driven mainly by the Designated National Authority (DNA) of a CDM host country rather than the CDM Executive Board (EB) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). A CDM Project Design Documents (PDD) needs to be approved first by the DNA of a host country before it is submitted to the UNFCCC for the registration of the project and grant of Certified Emission Reductions (CERs). Some DNAs, such as that of China and 5 India, have stronger requirements than others for meeting their approval criteria for technology transfer through CDM projects. Overall, 30% of all projects in the pipeline, accounting for 48% of estimated emission reductions, involve technology transfer while 24% of the projects in the pipeline do not indicate TT. If the sample of analysis consisted only of projects that explicitly refer to TT, 40% of projects in the pipeline would contribute to TT, accounting for 59% of emission reductions (UNFCCC 2010). Definition of Technology Transfer: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2000) defines technology transfer: “as a broad set of processes covering the flows of know-how, experience and equipment for mitigating and adapting to climate change amongst different stakeholders such as governments, private sector entities, financial institutions, non governmental organisations (NGOs) and research/education institutions”. Now the truth of the matter is, although EU has committed to TT, developing countries have not taken this opportunity which will help to reduce the accelerated rate of global warming and the related damning effects. This is a concern for me as a global citizen and as an environmentalist. So I decided to do a bit of digging to understand the extent that developing countries have taken advantage of TT in relation to trade and industries because industries are the highest polluters. The following is a summary which shows that Africa has made a total of 229 requests for technology transfer. Reference: Formal requests for UNCTAD technical cooperation | UNCTAD Now out of 229 technology transfer requests from within low income countries and low-middle income countries. Tanzania has made 4 requests and managed to implement the following 3: 2014 : Tanzania investment center requested technology transfer to invest in investments guidelines with a budget of 60,000 USD (Funds required) 2015: ‘’Tanzania’’ requested technology transfer and innovation to help build competitiveness of local pharmaceutical industries for a budget of 20,000 USD (implemented) 2016: Fair competition commission requested technology and knowledge transfer for voluntary peer reviews on competition law and policy with a budget of 36,000 USD (implemented) 2017: Ministry of industries, trade and investments requested technology and knowledge transfer for etrade readiness assessment of Tanzania and development of a strategy with a budget of 80,000 USD (implemented). Kenya made 5 requests and managed to implement 1. Uganda made 6 requests and managed to implement 2. Burundi made 2 requests, and is in the process of implementing 1. Rwanda made 8 requests, implemented 2 and is in the process of implementing 1. Malawi made 6 requests and managed to implement 1. South Africa made 3 requests and has secured funds to implement 1 The list can continue, but it is best to investigate for yourself on: Formal requests for UNCTAD technical cooperation | UNCTAD UNCTAD states that ‘ Globalization, including a phenomenal expansion of trade, has helped lift millions out of poverty. But not nearly enough people have benefited. And tremendous challenges remain. We support developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively. And we help equip them to deal with the potential drawbacks of greater economic integration. To do this, we provide analysis, facilitate consensus-building, and offer technical assistance. This helps them to use trade, investment, finance, and technology as vehicles for inclusive and sustainable development. Working at the national, regional, and global level, our efforts help countries to: • Comprehend options to address macro-level development challenges • Achieve beneficial integration into the international trading system • Diversify economies to make them less dependent on commodities • Limit their exposure to financial volatility and debt • Attract investment and make it more development friendly • Increase access to digital technologies • Promote entrepreneurship and innovation • Help local firms move up value chains • Speed up the flow of goods across borders • Protect consumers from abuse • Curb regulations that stifle competition • Adapt to climate change and use natural resources more effectively Together with other UN departments and agencies, we measure progress by the Sustainable Development Goals, as set out in Agenda 2030. We also support implementation of Financing for Development, as mandated by the global community in the 2015 Addis Ababa Agenda, together with four other major institutional stakeholders: the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, and the United Nations Development Programme. While we work mainly with governments, to effectively deal with the magnitude and complexity of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, we believe that partnerships and closer cooperation with the private sector and civil society are essential. Ultimately, we are serving the citizens of the 195 countries that make up our organization. Our goal is prosperity for all.’ The question is, has developing countries taken this commitment seriously enough? Is Tanzania taking this opportunity serious enough? Is there a wide spread awareness of this opportunity within developing countries? Can business within industrial countries play a role by forming ‘’business to business’’ global partnerships for development under the umbrella of Technology Transfer? What role should embassies play? What role can citizens play? Because in the end, we as a global community will continue to suffer from climate change impacts if countries are not equipped to act in the interest of sustainable environmental management.