At the fourth Conference of the Parties in Buenos Aries in December of 1998, a decision was made that underlines the importance of the development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies. Decision 4/CP.4 called for the establishment of a consultative process to consider a wide range of issues related to technology transfer.
Decision 4/CP.4 created an exchange of views between the Parties on technology transfer issues, and recommendations on how such issues should be addressed. The Chairman of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice established a consultative process for this purpose.
Decision 4/CP.4 identified a number of issues which relate to technology transfer. Those issues include how to initiate, promote and facilitate:
- the removal of barriers to technology transfer,
- the transfer of publicly owned technology and those in the public domain,
- bilateral and multilateral technology cooperation to facilitate technology transfer,
- the arrangement of financing of technology transfer in collaboration with the financial mechanism and multilateral and bilateral institutions,
- assistance for developing country Parties to access technology information,
- access to emerging technologies, and
- the appropriate role of the private sector.
Decision 4/CP.4 was also designed to:
- consider appropriate mechanisms for technology transfer under the UNFCCC, and
- collaborate with relevant multilateral institutions to promote technology transfer.
Further information on the Technology Transfer Consultative Process may be found at UNFCCC Secretariat Web Site. 