What role for climate negotiations on technology transfer?

Little progress has been made in climate negotiations on technology since 1992. Yet, the diffusion of climate change mitigation technologies to developing countries (non-Annex I) has increased dramatically over the last twenty years. The shift has mostly concerned emerging economies, which are now reasonably well connected to international technology flows. This is good news, as the bulk of emissions increases are expected to take place in these countries in the near future. In contrast, least developed countries still appear to be excluded from international technology flows, mostly because of their negligible participation in the recent economic globalization. The paper derives policy implications on the contribution of climate negotiations to international technology diffusion. Policy relevance statement. The discrepancy between the little progress made in climate negotiations on technology since 1992 and the steadily increase in the international diffusion of climate mitigation technologies leads to the perhaps controversial view that the diffusion of climate mitigation technologies does not need strong international coordination over technology issues under the UNFCCC. However, climate negotiations can play a key role to spur the demand for low carbon technologies by setting ambitious emission reductions targets and policies