The Clean Development Mechanism as a Vehicle for Technology Transfer and Sustainable Development - Myth or Reality?
This paper critically examines the clean development mechanism (CDM) established under Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol in terms of its effectiveness as a vehicle for technology transfer to developing countries, a specific commitment under the UNFCCC. Fundamentally, the paper poses the question of w...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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School of Oriental and African Studies
2010-09-01
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Series: | Law, Environment and Development Journal |
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Online Access: | http://lead-journal.org/content/10179.pdf |
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author | Gary Cox |
author_facet | Gary Cox |
author_sort | Gary Cox |
collection | DOAJ |
description | This paper critically examines the clean development mechanism (CDM) established under Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol in terms of its effectiveness as a vehicle for technology transfer to developing countries, a specific commitment under the UNFCCC. Fundamentally, the paper poses the question of whether technology transfer as part of the CDM is a myth or a reality in the broader context of sustainable development. Technology transfer between countries of the North and South is explored in a historical context and the emergence of technology transfer obligations is traced in multilateral environmental agreements. The architecture of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol are examined in relation to technology transfer obligations. Empirical studies are reviewed to gain an understanding of how CDM operates in practice, with a closer examination of a small number of recent CDM projects. There is an update on the Technology Mechanism being established under the Copenhagen Accord. The paper concludes with a summary of the benefits of CDM to date and its current limitations in achieving the scaling-up of affordable environmentally sound technology transfer envisaged in the Bali Action Plan. The conclusion is that technology transfer must be a much more explicit objective of CDM with better targeting of projects in order to achieve locally sustainable equitable outcomes. Furthermore, the link between CDM and technology transfer needs to be much more explicitly made in order that, in the long run, such interventions will lead to viable low emission development pathways in developing countries. |
first_indexed | 2024-12-12T23:55:49Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-f85b0c70a738407eb6806ebe45ee286c |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1746-5893 1746-5893 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-12T23:55:49Z |
publishDate | 2010-09-01 |
publisher | School of Oriental and African Studies |
record_format | Article |
series | Law, Environment and Development Journal |
spelling | doaj.art-f85b0c70a738407eb6806ebe45ee286c2022-12-22T00:06:36ZengSchool of Oriental and African StudiesLaw, Environment and Development Journal1746-58931746-58932010-09-0162179199The Clean Development Mechanism as a Vehicle for Technology Transfer and Sustainable Development - Myth or Reality?Gary CoxThis paper critically examines the clean development mechanism (CDM) established under Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol in terms of its effectiveness as a vehicle for technology transfer to developing countries, a specific commitment under the UNFCCC. Fundamentally, the paper poses the question of whether technology transfer as part of the CDM is a myth or a reality in the broader context of sustainable development. Technology transfer between countries of the North and South is explored in a historical context and the emergence of technology transfer obligations is traced in multilateral environmental agreements. The architecture of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol are examined in relation to technology transfer obligations. Empirical studies are reviewed to gain an understanding of how CDM operates in practice, with a closer examination of a small number of recent CDM projects. There is an update on the Technology Mechanism being established under the Copenhagen Accord. The paper concludes with a summary of the benefits of CDM to date and its current limitations in achieving the scaling-up of affordable environmentally sound technology transfer envisaged in the Bali Action Plan. The conclusion is that technology transfer must be a much more explicit objective of CDM with better targeting of projects in order to achieve locally sustainable equitable outcomes. Furthermore, the link between CDM and technology transfer needs to be much more explicitly made in order that, in the long run, such interventions will lead to viable low emission development pathways in developing countries.http://lead-journal.org/content/10179.pdfCDM projectsclean development mechanism (CDM)developing countriesenvironmentally sound technologiesflexibility mechanismsKyoto Protocollow carbon economysustainable developmenttechnology diffusiontechnology transfer |
spellingShingle | Gary Cox The Clean Development Mechanism as a Vehicle for Technology Transfer and Sustainable Development - Myth or Reality? Law, Environment and Development Journal CDM projects clean development mechanism (CDM) developing countries environmentally sound technologies flexibility mechanisms Kyoto Protocol low carbon economy sustainable development technology diffusion technology transfer |
title | The Clean Development Mechanism as a Vehicle for Technology Transfer and Sustainable Development - Myth or Reality? |
title_full | The Clean Development Mechanism as a Vehicle for Technology Transfer and Sustainable Development - Myth or Reality? |
title_fullStr | The Clean Development Mechanism as a Vehicle for Technology Transfer and Sustainable Development - Myth or Reality? |
title_full_unstemmed | The Clean Development Mechanism as a Vehicle for Technology Transfer and Sustainable Development - Myth or Reality? |
title_short | The Clean Development Mechanism as a Vehicle for Technology Transfer and Sustainable Development - Myth or Reality? |
title_sort | clean development mechanism as a vehicle for technology transfer and sustainable development myth or reality |
topic | CDM projects clean development mechanism (CDM) developing countries environmentally sound technologies flexibility mechanisms Kyoto Protocol low carbon economy sustainable development technology diffusion technology transfer |
url | http://lead-journal.org/content/10179.pdf |
work_keys_str_mv | AT garycox thecleandevelopmentmechanismasavehiclefortechnologytransferandsustainabledevelopmentmythorreality AT garycox cleandevelopmentmechanismasavehiclefortechnologytransferandsustainabledevelopmentmythorreality |