BY ERIN PAGE –
Climate change is the most important issue facing the world today. It is causing global temperatures and ocean levels to rise, increasing the likelihood of natural disasters which have the potential to displace millions, and eliminating biodiversity by making both land and sea inhabitable.
Developing countries are disproportionately impacted by these effects, possessing limited infrastructure capacity to mitigate against these impacts and adapt to the new conditions of increased heat, water scarcity and famine. Many developing states, particularly small island nations, find themselves at risk of losing their homes and livelihoods due to floods and natural disasters.
Developing and transferring technology has been at the forefront of climate action, spearheaded by the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) signed in 1992. The treaty’s implementation is evident in the drive towards renewable energy and utilising technologies to promote redacting carbon emissions.
Technological Developments
Technological developments have provided a source of hope that the globe can work together to reduce emissions and adapt to the changing climate. The most noticeable technological changes have come in the form of energy production. The last 30 years has seen a rise in solar, nuclear, tidal, wind and geothermal energy sources being harnessed to provide cleaner alternatives to coal and oil.
There has also been a growth in more unique solutions. Some examples include green cement, electric planes, hydrogen ships and carbon capturing machines. these technologies will prove extremely important because of their possible role in the high carbon production industries of shipping, aviation, construction and agriculture.
However, these technologies commonly prove to be extremely expensive. For example, the ClimeWorks carbon matching in Switzerland costs approximately $1,000 per ton of carbon dioxide collected. These prices are unsustainable for developing countries to pursue which situates them behind the rest of the world when combatting climate-change.
Importance of prioritising Developing States
Implementing these new technologies in developing countries is extremely important for one key reason: increased vulnerability. Developing states are exceedingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Many lower income countries can be found in subtropical and desert areas where natural climate variability is high (as can be seen on the maps below). Any slight increases in temperature or rainfall patterns hold the possibility to cause extensive environmental changes through processes such as desertification or flash flooding. Further the location of these states, particularly island states, increases their exposure to natural disasters including flooding and hurricanes.
Secondly, developing state’s strong dependence on subsistence agriculture reduces their adaptive capacity (which is already at an extreme low). Floods and droughts can result in devastating effects on communities and individuals who rely on agricultural production as their source of food and income.
As such, technology is essential to help states increase their adaptive capacity when facing natural disasters and reduced agricultural yields. One example of an important technology that can be used for this purpose is GMOs. This technology can create more resistant crops, ensuring that the key means of production in these states are not as susceptible to changes in the climate.
Current Technology Transfer
Currently, the use of technology to combat climate change is promoted by the UNFCCC, the TNA (Technology Needs Assessment) Program, the Technology Mechanism, and the Paris Agreement.
The UNFCCC was the first global agreement which specifically identified the importance of this issue. Article 4 Paragraph 1 of the Convention emphasises the importance of climate technology stating that:
All parties shall promote and cooperate in the development, application and diffusion including transfer of technologies…. that control, reduce or prevent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases…
A momentous outcome from the UNFCCC was the creation of the Technology Needs Assessment Program. This program allowed states to identify their climate technology priorities and then helps to create action plans for implementation. There are over 136 TNA reports exhibiting state’s action plans and their implementation to date.
The implementation of these technological developments was undertaken principally through the Technology Transfer Network which has now developed into the Technology Mechanism. These programs further aid in analysing policy issues where technology can be used to further help developing nations adapt to or mitigate climate impacts and then help provide technical assistance to these countries at their request.
The Technology Mechanism has been particularly promoted after the Paris Agreement. Article 10 emphasised that “parties share a long-term vision on the importance of fully realising technology development and transfer in order to improve resilience to climate change and to reduce green house gas emissions”. The agreement also established a technology framework to provide guidance to the TM through additional policy and implementation aid.
Future Recommendations
Taking advantage of the mechanisms established to facilitate technology transfer, while working to improve their effectiveness and increase their funding, is essential in improving the adaptive capacity of developing countries. Developed states historically are the primary contributors to emissions and have a duty to developing nations to help them respond to an issue that developed states effectively created.
Additionally, it is necessary that when implementing these policies, both UN and state officials take into consideration those in developing states who are most vulnerable to climate impacts.
In particular, a focus on women is required for countries to effectively respond to climate developments. Women comprise approximately 40-60% of the agricultural labour force in developing countries, making them most reliant on threatened natural resources. Further, due to their societal position, they have limited access to environmental goods and services with negligible participation in decision making.
Ultimately, this article has attempted to highlight the importance of technology in facing climate change, alongside the mechanisms that currently exist to do so. However, further developments in this area are necessary. For example, incentives for states and organisations to promote technology development and transfer should be considered. Further, the social implications of technology implementation and climate impacts need to be investigated so as to ensure that technology is provided to those who need it most.
