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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Main Author: Gary Cox
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: School of Oriental and African Studies 2010-09-01
Series:Law, Environment and Development Journal
Subjects:
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.
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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
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