E3G

Financial assessment of the technology proposals under the UNFCCC: an E3G-ECN report

By Shane Tomlinson and Pelin Zorlu

Limiting global average temperature increases below 2ºC rise will require a step-change in global innovation and technology transfer. Copenhagen will be crucial to provide a global framework for the urgent transformational change and ensure both the advancement and transfer of climate technologies.

A new report, produced by E3G and the ECN (the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands) aims to facilitate reaching a consensus by providing estimates of the financial requirements of the current technology proposals within the context of ongoing UNFCCC negotiations.

This study groups the technology related submissions to the UNFCCC and their financial implications into three concrete technology packages. These packages only relate to the specific technology parts of the Copenhagen outcome with a focus on elements such as strategic planning, RD&D for new technologies, information sharing, technology capacity building, and the creation of enabling environments. They also outline different levels of ambition consistent with the potential outcomes in Copenhagen.

Establishing various mechanisms and delivering certain functions under different technology packages, the study estimates that financial requirements range between USD 0.76 billion (Technology Package 1 - Low Ambition), USD 6 billion (Technology Package 2 - Moderate Ambition), and USD 56 billion (Technology Package 3 - High Ambition) over 5 years between 2012-2017. 

The study was commissioned and funded by the Nordic Council.

The full report and the Executive Summary are available to download above.