tec workshop on national systems of...

Mr. Asher Lessels

Finance, Technology and Capacity Building Programme

UNFCCC secretariat

TEC workshop on national systems of innovation

TEC/2015/10/9

Technology Executive Committee, 10th meeting

Bonn, Germany, 9–12 March 2015

Agenda item 8.(a)

TEC workshop on national systems of innovation

• Aim of this presentation is to support the TEC in reflecting on the workshop

on national systems of innovation

• Additional information:

• TEC 10 background note on summary of NSI workshop (TEC/2015/10/9)

• Slides and webcast on www.unfccc.int/ttclear

• This presentation summarizes:

1. Workshop features

2. Workshop sessions

3. Key elements highlighted by participants

4. Possible next steps

2

Background

10th meeting of the Technology Executive Committee


• NSI workshop was an activity of the TEC’s 2014-2015 workplan

• It supported the TEC’s work to enhance enabling environments and address

barriers to technology development and transfer, in accordance with

mandated functions

• The TEC held the two day NSI workshop in Bonn, Germany on 13-14

October 2014, with title:

“Strengthening national systems of innovation in developing countries,

covering the entire technology cycle for climate technologies”

• The TEC task force on enablers and barriers organized the workshop on

behalf of TEC

3

Background



• More than 70 experts:

• TEC members, Party representatives,

Adaptation Committee Co-Chair,

CTCN-AB Chair, CTCN Director

• Representatives of UN agencies, NGOs,

intergovernmental organizations,

the private sector and academia

• 17 high-level experts made presentations

• From developed and developing countries, UN agencies, intergovernmental

organizations, academia and the private sector

• Live webcast. Online stakeholders participated using social media (Twitter)

4

Participants



• Identify policy interventions that can strengthen developing country national

systems of innovation, to enhance technology development and transfer

5

Objective of workshop

Structure

The workshop had three sessions:

Session I: Setting the scene: national systems of innovation

Session II: Issues related to knowledge transfer between national systems of innovation

Session III: Knowledge transfer mechanisms: ways to enhance collaboration



• Develop a common understanding of climate innovation and NSIs

• Take stock of current status of climate technology NSIs in developed and developing countries

• Highlight how NSIs may be strengthened to enhance climate action

• Presentations:

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Session I: Setting the scene: national systems of innovation

A national system of

innovation


• Identify how climate technology knowledge is transferred between NSIs

• Consider issues associated with climate technology knowledge transfer

• Highlight how national capacity can be strengthened to enhance knowledge absorption

• Presentations:

• Complement previous presentations with country examples of success stories and lessons learned

• Private sector experiences (SE Asia, Brazil, India) in enhancing collaboration on knowledge transfer

• Case study from India on experiences in receiving and absorbing knowledge

• Presentations:

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Session II: Issues related to knowledge transfer between NSIs

Part II

Part I



• Understand how to enhance collaboration to strengthen developing country NSIs for enhanced

climate action

• Presentations:

Workshop participants considered questions:

• What is the role of the public sector in enhancing collaboration?

• What is the role of the private sector in enhancing collaboration?

• What is the role of R&D in enhancing collaboration?

• How can the Technology Mechanism enhance collaboration?

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Session III: Knowledge transfer mechanisms: ways to enhance collaboration

Part II

Part I



• What common and key element/themes arose from the workshop?

• Very broad, diverse and rich topic, with participants highlighting many

different aspects of NSIs and innovation

• Many participants referred to the following elements:

i. Overarching elements

ii. Actors

iii. Institutional context

iv. Linkages

v. Urgency

vi. Technology Mechanism: possible follow-up actions

9 10th meeting of the Technology Executive Committee


• Strengthening climate technology NSIs in all countries is key to enhancing action on

climate change

• Strong NSI supports the government and national private sector to (i) create new

ideas and (ii) build national capacity to develop and absorb technologies. This may

enhance welfare and build national economy, while also mitigating greenhouse gases

and building climate resilience

• Key elements of a NSI include: actors, institutional context and linkages

• Different approaches required to strengthen NSIs for adaptation and mitigation

• LDCs and small developing countries have special needs regarding NSI strengthening

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i. Overarching elements



• Technologies are developed and transferred by human beings. Education and training

which develops a skilled human capital is central to NSI strengthening

• Both public and private sector have key roles to play in a NSI. The private sector is

the key knowledge user; majority of knowledge transfer occurs between private sector

actors

• Need for both developing and developed countries to further enhance capacity.

Building developed country capacity may involve developed country actors developing

more refined understanding of receiving side’s needs

• Important to give visibility to developing country success stories and lessons learned

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ii. Actors: building capacity



• National government has central role to play in strengthening its NSI. Coordinating,

promoting and overseeing NSI at the national level

• This role could be undertaken by a dedicated national institution (a national innovation

system builder / NDE)

• Important to identify national needs, priorities and gaps related to the NSI. Addressing

these elements may enhance NSI’s effectiveness, relevance and coherence

• A catalyzing enabling environment may create a pull factor which enhances

knowledge transfer and NSI strengthening. Designing such an enabling environment

may include consideration of: regulatory and institutional framework; intellectual

property; rule of law; and standards

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iii. Institutional context: strengthening the local environment



• An effective NSI is dependent on strong linkages between key stakeholders at local,

national, regional and international level

• Networks of diverse stakeholders facilitate NSI strengthening by sharing ideas and

encouraging collaboration and inclusiveness

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iv. Linkages: enhancing networks

• There is an urgent need to support NSI strengthening and create breakthrough

innovations in both developing and developed countries to ensure that Parties achieve

ultimate objective of Convention

• At same time, the strengthening of a climate technology NSI is a long term activity

v. Urgency of action



Participants noted that:

• Technology Mechanism could identify gaps that actors can address to enhance

collaboration on NSI strengthening

• TEC could promote collaboration on all levels and between all actors, to support

developing countries strengthen their NSIs

• TEC could support developing countries to identify policies that strengthen their NSIs

• TEC could showcase challenges, good practices and lessons learned of different

countries and regions regarding NSIs

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vi. Technology Mechanism: possible follow-up actions 1/2



• CTCN, through its core services, may support enhanced collaboration and NSI

strengthening in developing countries

• For example, the CTCN, at a developing country’s request, could:

• Develop a workplan of activities that support the country’s NSI strengthening

• Support the identification of gaps in the country’s NSI

• CTCN could showcase challenges, good practices and lessons learned of different

countries and regions regarding NSIs

• TNAs could play important role in supporting national capacity building and development

of national analytical capabilities for strengthening NSIs

• NDEs are encouraged to consider the workshop’s outcomes and to share NSI

experiences with other NDEs

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vi. Technology Mechanism: possible follow-up actions 2/2


4. Possible next steps

• TEC, in 2015, will undertake further activities on NSIs as part of 2014-2015 rolling

workplan:

a) Prepare a TEC Brief on NSI

b) Prepare key messages to the COP

c) Undertake further work on enablers and barriers, taking into account outcomes of

NSI workshop

16

In 2015

At TEC 10

• The TEC will be invited to reflect on the NSI workshop and decide on any follow‐up

actions


Thank you!

Mr. Asher Lessels

Finance, Technology and Capacity Building Programme

UNFCCC secretariat

Further information

• TEC 10 background note on summary of NSI workshop (TEC/2015/10/9)

• Presentations and recorded webcast on www.unfccc.int/ttclear

tec workshop on national systems of...

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