Dialogue to Boost Climate Technology Innovation

An expert dialogue will take place on Wednesday, 14 March, in Bonn to discuss how to accelerate support for entrepreneurs in developing countries who develop innovative new climate technologies.

Such technologies range from systems to grow plants without soil to the provision of sustainable energy in rural areas and are part of the global efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, which is to limit the global average temperature to as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The event is co-organised by the Technology Executive Committee (TEC), the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN).

Technological innovation is a critical accelerator of national efforts to address climate change. It is key to achieving the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Historically, small- and medium-size enterprises have played an important role in technological innovation, often leading to the introduction of paradigm-shifting technologies and changes in the way we live. However, small firms and new technologies often face challenges in maturing to a point where they survive and have positive social, environmental and economic impact. These challenges are often exacerbated in developing countries.

Incubators and accelerators are “innovation labs” that support startups and entrepreneurs in different development stages of technology products or concepts. They are more than just co-working spaces to test ideas, as they have experts and mentors helping entrepreneurs develop their projects to a greater maturity by providing them with training, guidance and networking.

They also guide entrepreneurs with partnerships, business models and fundraising. Incubators can be important bridges between small innovative projects and their survival and success, and thus play an important role in supporting new low-carbon and climate-resilient technologies.

The Green Climate Fund is working to develop a request for proposals on climate technology incubators and accelerators for consideration by the GCF Board, and this dialogue will help to inform that work. Carolina Fuentes, Secretary to the Board and Head of Governance Affairs, will lead GCF's participation at the event.

The event will be webcast live. Also, virtual participants are encouraged to now send their answers to the question: “How can we support entrepreneurs to speed up climate tech innovation?” through the Twitter hashtag #ClimateTech. The aim is to bring entrepreneurs and innovation stakeholders to the conversation so that the experts can take these virtual comments during the event and then nurture the online discussion with their feedback. This exchange can be followed through the same hashtag and live webcast.

You can find the programme, speakers and more information about the event at the UNFCCC website.