Technology Transfer: The Climate Change Challenge

Recent years have witnessed a growing recognition of the link between emission of carbon dioxide and changes in global climate. Of all anthropogenic activities, energy production and use generate the largest portion of these greenhouse gases. Although developing countries currently account for a small share of global carbon emissions, their contribution is growing rapidly. If these countries are to participate in any program to slow the growth the growth of greenhouse gases, they must receive and develop applicable technology. Successful technology transfer has several preconditions. Most important, there must be a local demand for the technology. Closely allied to this requirement is that the technology must be appropriate to the situation. Information about the technology must be available to potential users. If a community is to use the technology successfully, the supporting infrastructure must exist, and adequate capital must be available. Overall, the economic consequences of technology transfer must be positive.. These prerequisites are illustrated by examples of technology transfer that succeeded and some that failed.