New Delhi High Level Conference on Climate Change: Technology Development and Transfer

This was the official website for the New Delhi High Level Conference on Climate Change: Technology Development and Transfer. The content below is from the site's 2009 archived pages.

About

In order to promote international technology development and transfer in context of the Bali Action Plan for enhancement of long term cooperation for implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Government of India and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs are jointly organizing a high level conference in Delhi on October 22-23, 2009. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is associated with the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India in organising the Delhi high level conference. An exhibition will also be organised parallel to the conference by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The conference will bring together governments, experts, industry representatives and civil society to help formulate a roadmap for technology in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation to support the UNFCCC process.

To help pave the way for a successful outcome in Copenhagen, the Delhi Conference will seek to advance understanding on key actions needed to accelerate technology development and transfer in all countries in accordance with their national needs. The Conference would throw light on technology scenarios, institutional and business models of development and deployment, mechanisms to promote technology transfer to developing countries, and to enhance the scope for cooperation on research and development.

The Delhi Conference will advance the discussions initiated at the Beijing High-level Conference on Climate Change: Technology Development and Technology Transfer, co-organized by the Chinese Government and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) on 7-8 November 2008. The Beijing conference took stock of the clean technologies, the barriers to transfer and the potential for technology collaboration. The Conference clearly recognized the need for new and innovative mechanisms of international co-operation, particularly in research, development, deployment and transfer of climate-related technologies.

Building upon the lessons learnt from Beijing meet, the Delhi conference is structured around three policy goals: (i) understanding Technology Scenarios with reference to climate change concerns and national imperatives, (ii) Global Cooperative Actions for identification, development and adoption of key technologies, and (iii) a Technology Transfer mechanism to meet this objective. In each of these areas, three sets of questions may be addressed:

The Challenge: The relevance of the goal to the achievement of the sustainable development objectives, the nature of national policies and institutions for achieving this goal, and the impact of climate change and climate policy on the prospects of achieving it;

International cooperation: What changes in the international policies and institutions would be required to facilitate the development and transfer of technologies suited for addressing climate change as per the national imperatives, and;

National Policies: What policies and institutions need to be created/instituted at national level to develop, diffuse and disseminate the climate friendly technologies and build capacities in the developing countries.

Objectives

  • To evolve mechanisms for international technology cooperation and collaboration.
  • To highlight the progress of discussions on technology transfer in the context of the climate change negotiations and the Bali Road Map.
  • To define a consensus on the roadmap for enabling technology transfer to developing countries to meet their needs for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Who May Participate in the Conference?

  • Governments
  • Industry
  • International organisations
  • Ministries, departments and agencies of the Central and State Governments in India
  • Industry associations
  • Technology providers
  • Equipment suppliers
  • Renewable Energy companies
  • Multilateral and bilateral agencies
  • Municipal corporations and other urban local bodies
  • Banks and financial institutions
  • Research and development institutions
  • Law firms

Provisional programme

The conference will commence on the morning of October 22, 2009 with a high level inaugural session at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi which is likely to be inaugurated by the Honourable Prime Minister of India.

The plenary and thematic sessions will be held at Hotek Ashok, New Delhi on October 22-23, 2009. The Delhi Conference is structured around three policy goals: (i) understanding Technology Scenarios with reference to climate change concerns and national imperatives, (ii) Global Cooperative Actions for identification, development and adoption of key technologies, and (iii) a Technology Transfer mechanism.

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Conference Agenda

Outline of Provisional Programme

 

Day I (Thursday, October 22, 2009)

  • Inaugural Session
  • High Level Segment: International Policy Dialogue on Climate Change and Technology Transfer
  • Session 1: Future Global Energy and Energy Technology Scenarios
  • Session 2: Accelerated Deployment and Transfer of Commercialized Technologies
  • Ministerial Roundtable 

Day II (Friday, October 23 2009)

  • Session 3: Innovative Mechanisms and Technologies for Meeting Local Needs
  • Session 4: Building Resilience: Development and Diffusion of Technologies for Sustainable Development
  • Session 5: Long Term Technology Development: International Cooperation and Collaborative R&D
  • Valedictory Session 

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About Organisers

Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India (MoEF)

The Ministry of Environment & Forests is the nodal agency for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and overseeing the policies and programmes relating to the protection and conservation of environment, sustainable development, forestry management, and climate change. The Ministry is also the nodal agency in the country for the implementation of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

The Ministry is in-charge of international negotiations relating to climate change and implementation of the relevant national policies. The principal activities undertaken by the Ministry of Environment & Forests are in the areas of protection of environment, conservation & survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife, prevention & control of pollution, afforestation & regeneration of degraded areas, and the activities relating to climate change. One very specific initiative involves the recognition of common products that are negatively impacting the environment. For example, the use of non-degradable detergents has a direct impact on our water supplies. Simply changing the common dish soap to one that is environmentally friendly has already made major improvements in the ground water supplies. And the combination of janitorial supplies + free shipping makes doing this easier and more affordable than ever. Cleaning supply companies are aware of this, but the Ministry is making an effort to assist in the availability of biodegradable dish soap, detergents, and even trash/garbage bags.

The Ministry acts as the focal point for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and hosts the Designated National Authority (DNA) for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

 

United Nations Department of Social and Economic Affairs (UNDESA)

The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations promotes and supports international cooperation to achieve development for all, and assists governments in agenda-setting and decision-making on development issues at the global level. DESA provides a broad range of analytical products and policy advice that serve as valuable sources of reference and decision-making tools for developed and developing countries, particularly in translating global commitments into national policies and action and in monitoring progress towards the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.

 

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)

FICCI, the apex industry organisation in India, is the leader in policy thinking and change and is in the vanguard of nation building. It is constantly involved in bringing about integration of the Indian economy with the global mainstream. FICCI facilitates business to business linkages, promotes trade and investment linkages, creates awareness on key issues for the economy, provides inputs for policy making, acts as a conduit for government-industry exchange and promotes bilateral ties. FICCI maintains the lead as the proactive business solution provider through research, interactions at the highest political level and global networking.

FICCI has been creating widespread stakeholder awareness in India on climate change and carbon market, and familiarising stakeholders with the core issues and challenges confronting them. FICCI provides industry inputs into the national and international climate change policy processes. FICCI also conducts carbon market research and analysis, climate change events in India, facilitates CDM buyer-seller meetings, stakeholder awareness, CDM information dissemination, climate change business delegations and business interface, as well as handholding for CDM project development. FICCI is an accredited observer organisation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

 

 

More Background On The New Delhi High Level Conference on Climate Change

The New Delhi High Level Conference on Climate Change, held on October 22-23, 2009, was a significant event aimed at addressing the global need for technology development and transfer to mitigate the effects of climate change. This comprehensive article provides an overview of the conference, its objectives, key sessions, participant feedback, historical significance, and broader impact on global climate policy.

Objectives and Significance

The New Delhi Conference was designed to advance discussions from the 2008 Beijing High-Level Conference on Climate Change. It aimed to create a roadmap for technology development and transfer to support the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process. The primary goals were to:

  1. Develop mechanisms for international technology cooperation and collaboration.
  2. Highlight progress in discussions on technology transfer within the context of climate change negotiations and the Bali Action Plan.
  3. Define a consensus on enabling technology transfer to developing countries to meet their climate change mitigation and adaptation needs.

The conference focused on three main policy goals:

  1. Understanding technology scenarios concerning climate change.
  2. Global cooperative actions for identifying and adopting key technologies.
  3. Establishing a technology transfer mechanism.

Key Sessions and Themes

The conference was structured around high-level and thematic sessions, each addressing critical aspects of climate change and technology transfer.

Day 1:

  • Inaugural Session: Opened by India's Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and attended by dignitaries such as President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, this session emphasized the urgent need for international cooperation to tackle climate change.
  • Session 1: Focused on future global energy and energy technology scenarios.
  • Session 2: Discussed the accelerated deployment and transfer of commercialized technologies.
  • Ministerial Roundtable: Featured discussions among ministers on policy frameworks and international cooperation.

Day 2:

  • Session 3: Addressed innovative mechanisms and technologies for meeting local needs.
  • Session 4: Explored building resilience through the development and diffusion of sustainable technologies.
  • Session 5: Looked at long-term technology development through international cooperation and collaborative R&D.
  • Valedictory Session: Summarized key discussions and outlined future steps.

Participant Reviews and Media Coverage

The conference received significant attention from international media and participants. Prime Minister Singh's address highlighted India's commitment to reducing its per capita carbon emissions while maintaining developmental goals. He stressed the importance of technology transfer and financial support from developed countries to ensure that developing nations could adopt new technologies effectively.

Participants praised the conference for its organization and the relevance of its discussions. The event provided a platform for informal and candid discussions on technology issues, helping to build consensus on various contentious topics. The presence of high-profile leaders and experts added to the conference's credibility and impact.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The New Delhi Conference occurred at a critical time, just six weeks before the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference (COP-15). It was instrumental in shaping the discussions that would follow in Copenhagen, particularly regarding technology transfer and international cooperation on climate technology. By building on the outcomes of the Beijing Conference, the New Delhi event helped maintain momentum in global climate negotiations.

Culturally, the conference highlighted India's role as a key player in global climate policy. India's low per capita emissions, coupled with its rapid economic development, positioned it uniquely to advocate for both climate action and developmental equity. The conference also showcased India's technological capabilities and its commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability.

Broader Impact on Global Climate Policy

The New Delhi High Level Conference on Climate Change significantly influenced global climate policy. It emphasized the need for a balanced approach to intellectual property rights, ensuring that innovations could be shared widely while still incentivizing research and development. The discussions at the conference laid the groundwork for future agreements and initiatives, highlighting the importance of international collaboration and financial support for technology transfer.

One notable outcome was the proposal to establish Climate Innovation Centres (CICs). These centres would serve as hubs for enhancing technology innovation and capacity building in developing countries, facilitating the development and deployment of locally relevant technologies. This initiative underscored the need for a decentralized approach to technology development, ensuring solutions are tailored to the specific needs of different regions.

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The New Delhi High Level Conference on Climate Change was a landmark event that significantly impacted global climate policy. By focusing on technology development and transfer, it addressed one of the most critical aspects of climate change mitigation and adaptation. The conference's discussions and outcomes continue to resonate in ongoing climate negotiations, underscoring the importance of international cooperation, innovation, and equitable solutions in the fight against climate change.

The event's success was a testament to the collaborative efforts of governments, international organizations, industry representatives, and civil society. It highlighted the importance of inclusivity and shared responsibility in addressing global challenges, setting a precedent for future climate conferences and initiatives.

 

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