Globelics PhD Academy 2007

Clean Development Mechanism and technological

learning

PhD thesis and

Conceptual framework ideas

Asel Doranova

UNU-MERIT, Maastricht, Netherlands

What I am studying

Transfer of clean technologies to developing countries under the Kyoto Protocol

Some background:

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

Kyoto Protocolflexibility mechanisms

Emission trading

“North-North”

Clean Development

Mechanism (CDM)“North-South”

Joint Implementation (JI)

projects “North-North”

Project based emission crediting & trade

Goals of the Clean Development

Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol

• Enable developed countries to meet their emission reduction commitments in a flexible and cost-effective manner

• Assist developing countries in meeting their sustainable development objectives. They will benefit in the form of

investment access to better & clean technologies local sustainable development

Current status of CDM projects:over 800 projects registered

Current status of CDM projects: locations

Source: UNFCCC, 2007 http://cdm.unfccc.int/

Objective of the thesis:

To assess the potential for learning / technological capability building in developing countries under the CDM projects

Arguments behind: CDM aims to promote TT in developing countries

and contribute to their Sustainable Development TT is not just simple import of technologies,

machines, and expertise, BUT development of local technological capabilities (TC)

TCs are built through learning

Gaps in the CDM literature:

• impact of the CDM in terms of capability building and learning

• CDM implication from the perspectives of technological change

• role of business companies as technology & knowledge providers

1. Literature review Technological capabilities Innovation / technological / learning systemsNetworking

2. Preliminary interviews with expertsUNFCCC, state agencies, research institutes, companies, …

3. Secondary data collection databaseProject infoParticipants infoTechnology info

4. Survey of CDM project participants databasefactors influencing learning under CDM

5. Case-study factors influencing learning under CDM

Research design:

CDM actors and institutions map

Learning system under the CDM

Main characteristics of the LS:• Interactive network of actors (project

participants)

• we expect that Interaction Learning

• Institutional set-up (formal & informal)

• country context

• performance: Learning (potential for learning)

CDM project participants:Host (developing) country

Project hosts – local private or public organization/company

Local companies providing construction, assembly, maintenance services, etc.

Research labs/universities involved in the project design

Host country governments

Non-governmental organizations

Annex I (developed) country

Corporations with substantial emissions liabilities

Companies entering carbon market technology developers, intermediaries, consulting

Research labs/universities involved in the project design

Annex I governments seeking to meet their Kyoto commitments

Development agencies and NGOs

CDM project participants:Host (developing) country

Project hosts – local private or public organization/company

Local companies providing construction, assembly, maintenance services, etc.

Research labs/universities involved in the project design

Host country governments

Non-governmental organizations

Annex I (developed) country

Corporations with substantial emissions liabilities

Companies entering carbon market technology developers, intermediaries, consulting

Research labs/universities involved in the project design

Annex I governments seeking to meet their Kyoto commitments

Development agencies and NGOs

Target group: Technology / knowledge recipient side

Project hosts – local private or public organization/company

Local companies involved in CDM project, providing construction, assembly, maintenance services, etc.

Arguments behind:• Project hosts are direct beneficiaries • Local companies might benefit from spillovers

Target group: Technology providers’ side

Corporations with substantial emissions liabilities

Companies entering carbon market technology developers, intermediaries, consulting

Arguments behind: – Corporations are the major emitter if the GHGs and they

must introduce emission reduction strategies – They are initial investors for CDM projects and possess

the most advanced technologies (knowledge) – Majority of companies producing clean technologies are

based in developed countries. CDM market opens new business opportunities for them in developing countries.

CDM actors and institutions map

Framework for analyzing learning under the CDM

Determinants of learning / TC building:- Characteristics and functions of local

participants (technology recipients)- Characteristics and functions of western

companies (technology providers)- Types of linkages among them- Institutional set-up- Country context- Characteristics of technology

Framework for analyzing learning under the CDM

Data base:

• Project info: type, country, location, duration, scale, industry/sector, claim for technology transfer

• Participants info: functions/roles, country, contacts

• Country info: policies for CDM, energy, education, S&T

• Technology info: type, sophistication level, origin (imported/local)

Challenges in proceeding:

• Define indicators for learning:

Technological Capabilities (change)???

• Define indicators for some determinants of learning

e.g. institutions, economic & social ties, trust, linkages, technology characteristics

Expected Contributions:

Academic novelty:• Addressing technology transfer under CDM &

Kyoto Protocol by applying technological capabilities and systems approaches

Social relevance and Policy implications:• Development of favorable policies promoting

– effective technology transfer, knowledge, capabilities’ development

– private investments in the CDM

Thank you!