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Technology transfer for adaptation

Nature Climate Change volume 4, pages 828–834 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Technology alone will not be able to solve adaptation challenges, but it is likely to play an important role. As a result of the role of technology in adaptation and the importance of international collaboration for climate change, technology transfer for adaptation is a critical but understudied issue. Through an analysis of Global Environment Facility-managed adaptation projects, we find there is significantly more technology transfer occurring in adaptation projects than might be expected given the pessimistic rhetoric surrounding technology transfer for adaptation. Most projects focused on demonstration and early deployment/niche formation for existing technologies rather than earlier stages of innovation, which is understandable considering the pilot nature of the projects. Key challenges for the transfer process, including technology selection and appropriateness under climate change, markets and access to technology, and diffusion strategies are discussed in more detail.

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Figure 1: This model of technology transfer and adoption recognizes that many factors are important for technology selection, transfer and, ultimately, adoption of new technologies by users.
Figure 2: One case selected from the Strategic Priority on Adaptation fund.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all of the staff at each project site for their generous support of the field research. Funding support was received by a research grant from BP, NSF research grant 0966093 IGERT: Water Diplomacy, and the Fletcher School at Tufts University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. United Nations Development Programme, New York 10017, USA

    Bonizella Biagini

  2. Center for International Environment and Resource Policy, The Fletcher School, Tufts University, Massachusetts 02155, USA

    Laura Kuhl & Kelly Sims Gallagher

  3. United Nations Development Programme, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

    Claudia Ortiz

Authors
  1. Bonizella Biagini
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  2. Laura Kuhl
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  3. Kelly Sims Gallagher
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  4. Claudia Ortiz
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Contributions

L.K. carried out the proposal analysis, field research for the case studies, and wrote the paper. B.B. and K.S.G. conceptualized the paper and all four authors selected cases. C.O. assisted with access to project documents and coordination of field visits. L.K. performed analysis with contributions from K.S.G. L.K., K.S.G., B.B. and C.O. edited.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura Kuhl.

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Competing interests

B.B. was formerly employed (during analysis) by Global Environment Facility (GEF) as Head of Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Operations. C.O. was formerly employed (during analysis) by GEF as Program Associate supporting the adaptation portfolio management, Climate Change Adaptation. Neither stands to gain financially from publication.

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Biagini, B., Kuhl, L., Gallagher, K. et al. Technology transfer for adaptation. Nature Clim Change 4, 828–834 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2305

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