TECHNOLOGY FRAMEWORK Implementation

Since its inception, the CTCN has collaborated with 106 developing countries to implement technology development and transfer assistance. The Centre has received a total of 321 requests for technical assistance, including 14 multi-country requests. Almost half of the requests received have been fully implemented and completed (143), while 64 are currently under implementation, 90 are in the response plan design phase and 24 are being assessed.

Trends in countries’ technology demand

In Africa, recent requests focus on natural resource management (e.g., aquifers, forest monitoring through drones, water basin management); circular economy (e.g., anaerobic digestion, circular economy roadmaps) and sustainable cities (e.g., urban resilience, green infrastructure).

In Asia-Pacific, demand has focused on water-related adaptation measures (e.g., nature-based solutions and integrated water resource management, gravity driven membrane technology, gallery infiltration systems, monitoring system design, agro-met DSS); local climate information systems and early warning systems (e.g., impact-based forecasting, coastal risk mapping, multi-hazard platforms, wave modelling); energy efficiency (e-mobility, efficient water supply, energy efficiency in buildings, smart cities); and new and emerging technologies (ocean thermal energy conversion, power to gas, green hydrogen, carbon capture).

In Latin America, requests have prioritised the water sector (groundwater monitoring, drought risks modelling, M&E systems); coastal zones (vulnerability assessment and risks management); the energy sector (adaptation plan for energy generation sector, geothermal energy, and grid stability study); circular economy at a national level (national roadmaps and strategies); and sectoral approaches (milk production value chain, waste sector).

Regional implementation

Building on its experience in over 160 developing countries, the CTCN is well placed to adopt a regional approach, whether via multi-country implementation or through programmatic approaches. Multi-country projects promote capacity building, analysis and research at a regional level that infuses direct support at country level and presents several efficiency gains such as lower transactional costs and the harmonization of policies and regulations across a region. The CTCN’s programmatic approach often revolves around a standard methodology or thematic focus across several countries and may be established to facilitate the replication of a project type that has been effective in supporting transformational change.

In Africa, for example, the CTCN is identifying options for economical industrial conversion of forest waste for fifteen member countries of the Commission of Central African Forests. In Asia-Pacific, the CTCN is delivering technical assistance on circular economy and e-mobility using a unified methodology across several countries, while providing a tailored focus in alignment with individual countries’ needs.

Technology Needs Assessments and Technology Action Plans

Eight countries (Botswana, Chile, Cook Islands, DRC, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Paraguay, and Syria) received CTCN support to conduct TNAs and TAPs. In addition, the CTCN shared its experience supporting countries in the TNA process during several workshops, including one organized by the NDE of Malaysia in March 2021 and with UNEP-DTU Partnership in December 2020 and June 2021 as part of the Global TNA Project.

Gender mainstreaming

Guided by its Gender Policy and Action Plan (2019-2022), the CTCN built on its existing efforts to implement gender mainstreaming in its activities and operations, including technical assistance, capacity building and knowledge sharing. Particular focus was given to integrating gender considerations throughout the technical assistance process.

Updated closure report forms require implementors to report on several gender-responsive indicators. Gender-specific considerations highlighted in recent closure reports include gender-sensitive stakeholder mapping and engagement; gender mainstreaming in project consultation, validation, and decision-making process; gender-sensitive and sex-disaggregated data collection; and developing gender-responsive recommendations for action.

TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION

Developing circular economy roadmaps to limit GHG emissions from the waste sector in Zimbabwe

The concept of circular economy has gained traction in recent years, and Africa has embraced this model, with a growing number of countries embarking upon their own circular economy transitions. The circular economy is a system that moves away from the traditional ‘take-make-waste’ linear model of production and consumption to one in which economic growth is decoupled from the extraction and ultimate disposal of natural resources. This can be achieved through the expanded use of renewable energy and the minimisation or reuse of material waste and pollution, including greenhouse gases.

Zimbabwe’s key industries are mining, steel, cement, and agriculture, which have created an economy based on resource extraction, ultimately resulting in a host of detrimental environmental impacts. In addition, the country’s urban waste situation has been growing. Seizing on the opportunity to fix its urban waste management challenges, Zimbabwe first implemented public/private policies and initiatives toward an integrated waste management program through the promotion of recycling, recovery, and reuse. However, barriers that hindered further advancement of these policies, such as coordination challenges, highlighted the need for a cohesive national strategy with defined objectives and clear goals, and opportunities for pilot projects. The CTCN has supported several circular economy initiatives across all regions and responded to the Zimbabwean government’s request by developing a waste stream-specific road map for circular economy, including an assessment of the key institutions and stakeholders, a circularity analysis of one prioritized waste stream, and the identification of a pilot project.