Director and Advisory Board Secretary | Climate Technology Centre & Network
Dr. Rose Mwebaza (PhD) is the Director of CTCN and brings 20 years’ experience providing policy advice on a wide range of climate change, environment and sustainable development issues. She has previously served as Chief Natural Resources Officer at the African Development Bank, and held leadership positions within the UN Development Programme. Dr. Mwebaza was a Lecturer at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, for 10 years, serving as the Head of Department for Commercial Law, and Deputy Dean of the Law School. Rose holds a PhD in Environment and Natural Resource Governance from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; a Master’s Degree in International Comparative Law (With a Certificate of Academic Excellence) from the University of Florida, U.S.A and a Bachelor of Law Degree (LL.B, Hons.) from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
- Under your leadership, can you elaborate how CTCN is advancing the organization’s vision and mandate in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic?
The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the importance of developing more resilient, inclusive, equitable and sustainable societies and economies that are capable of withstanding future crises, natural disasters and other potential threats. Climate Change was at the top of the global public discourse at the close of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 25) in December 2019. In addition, the world was in the throes of the final preparations for the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to discuss a “Paris Agreement” for Biodiversity to deal with the global biodiversity crises, with mass extinction of species and natural disturbance of up to 70% of the Earth’s natural ecosystem. Disturbance of natural ecosystems has been reported to increase the transfer of diseases from wild species to humans and is suggested as the principle cause of increase in occurrence of neglected, forgotten and human diseases. While habitat destruction is the main driver of decreasing biodiversity, climate change has played a role by forcing species to shift habitat, change geographical range and to survive in semi-natural habitats that may bring wild animals closer to humans and livestock.
In the economic fallout resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a growing global debate on whether we can afford to “build forward better” without investing in sustainable solutions to the global biodiversity and climate change challenges. With respect to climate, biodiversity, and the state of land and forests, there are serious questions over whether current trends can protect society from threats over the coming decades. Policies and actions based on incremental change to ‘business as usual’ are failing and only a transformational change can safeguard communities and make them more resilient.
In addition, enabling policy action is urgently required to deploy climate technology across developing countries. While the Covid-19 pandemic offers opportunities to reassess priorities and rebuild economies with a focus on more climate resilience, support is required to enable countries to best identify a wide range of domestic policy frameworks that stimulate climate technology action, national systems of innovation to create the environment for technology deployment and policy pillars to design coherent implementation strategies that can ultimately receive multilateral financial support aid at climate technology deployment. The delivery of such an enabling environment requires a wide structural shift that involves new policies and regulations (such as standards), incentives to stimulate technology adoption and R&D (such as technology demonstration support and incentives, institutional frameworks, new market designs, financial models to stimulate delivery and capacity development and SME incubation supports. Governments, therefore, have clear opportunities to shape initiatives and regulatory frameworks that can support their economic recovery post COVI-19, considering their national circumstances.
- As per CTCN Progress report 2019, assistance submitted by developing countries has increased 240% over the last 12-month period. This has called for significant requests for the technological services of CTCN in various countries to address their climate change challenges. Could you elaborate on the same?
2019 marked the first full year that the CTCN delivered its technology services with a regional focus. The regional approach enabled the CTCN to strengthen its relationship with National Designated Entities as well as regional initiatives and organisations. It also facilitated the enhanced identification of national and regional climate technology needs and opportunities, which contributed to the highest number of multi-country requests since the CTCN’s launch.
Demand for the technical assistance services of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) in 2019 doubled over the previous year. When multi-country requests are counted individually by each submitting country, then the difference in the number of requests in 2019 is even higher. Much of the increase in requests can be attributed to alignment of the CTCN’s services with a more regional focus. Regional teams have been able to more effectively identify regional trends in terms of demand for technologies and sectors of interest; and National Designated Entities have gained a dedicated team for accessing CTCN services and discussing their technical assistance and capacity building needs. As such, the Centre has been able to further facilitate South-South cooperation and the development of multi-country requests. These multi-country and programmatic approaches increased the efficiency of CTCN activities by enabling economies of scale and consistent approaches across countries.
- CTCN promotes climate action through technology and financing solutions. In the light of realization of SDGs, how is the operational arm of CTCN spearheading the pace of sustainable development, especially to developing and least developed parties and stakeholders?
The CTCN serves as a global hub for coordinating and delivering the technology expertise, capacity building and knowledge that countries are seeking as they strive to meet their climate change and sustainable development goals.
CTCN technical assistance contributes to all 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals. All CTCN technical assistance supports Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. In addition, the CTCN has endeavored to make technology development and transfer more inclusive, through implementation of its Gender Action Plan and engagement with gender and youth constituencies, in order to assist countries to more fully and effectively transition to low-carbon economies, build climate-resilient societies, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The CTCN, with the support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has received USD 5 million from the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator to foster innovation in adaptation. The programme will contribute to technical assistance to developing countries and will support them to test, evaluate, roll out and scale up innovative adaptation practices, products and technologies. Moreover, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices will be facilitated through the programme, which will strengthen opportunities of South-South and triangular cooperation on innovation in adaptation among the countries. Innovative approaches to support developing countries to pursue their strategies for climate change adaptation (e.g. ecosystem-based adaptation, urban adaptation, water and sanitation, etc.) and/or address their challenges to environmental resilience (e.g. natural disaster risk management, COVID-19 pandemic, etc.) will be able to be implemented through the programme. The eligible countries in the programme include developing countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that do not have National Implementing Entities (NIEs) accredited with the Adaptation Fund (114 countries in total as of 26 June 2020). Among them, priority will be given to LDCs and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). For more information on the programme, please visit: https://www.ctc-n.org/afcia.
Since 2017, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the CTCN have partnered under the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme through which the CTCN provides services and expertise in response to developing countries’ requests using GCF country resources. By August 2020, the CTCN had supported over 25 developing countries to access funds from the Green Climate Fund Readiness Programme.
- What kind of technology interventions for mitigation and adaptation are identified to foster climate actions and priority development areas of countries?
Key Adaptation technology interventions in the areas of-
Agriculture and forestry– Although being a vital sector, agriculture contributes significantly to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, agriculture is highly exposed to climate change, as farming activities directly depend on climatic conditions. Climate change also increases forest disturbances and occurrence of invasive species. CTCN brings together stakeholders to provide technical assistance to mitigate and adapt to these changes, through a combination of well-established and innovative technologies. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/agriculture-and-forestry.
Coastal Zones– The CTCN brings together stakeholders who want to leverage ecosystem services from lakes, rivers, oceans, and coastal zones to capture carbon emissions, also commonly referred to as Blue Carbon. A key approach is to adapt coastal zones to climatic changes through technologies such as wetland restoration, beach nourishment and a combination of other well-established and innovative technologies. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/coastal-zones.
Early Warning and Environmental Assessments– As climate change increases the likelihood of unexpected weather patterns and natural disasters, communities need tools and methods to adapt to increased drought, floods, landslides, and other climate-induced hazards. The CTCN collaborates with various stakeholders to provide technical assistance through technologies such as hazard risk mapping and early warning systems. An important climate adaptation strategy is also for countries to be equipped with better data and environmental information such as assessments of water resources and invasive species, as they are an important basis for decision-makers.
Human Health– There are innovative greenhouse gas reduction approaches available for the health and social services sector today that could already be applied to buildings, facilities, food services, work practices and vehicle fleets. The CTCN works with various stakeholders to find the right climate technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of operations while adapting to the effects of climate change on human health. Adaptation techniques such as education of health personnel, malaria protection and prevention and health risk monitoring can increase the resilience of communities to the potential impacts of climate change. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/human-health
Infrastructure and Urban Planning– As different parts of countries become drier, wetter or hotter, green infrastructure can help improve community resilience through smart urban planning and intelligent urban transport systems. The CTCN has worked with countries such as Indonesia and Thailand to develop climate resilient infrastructure and foster green buildings for low-carbon societies. By adapting cities, transport systems and buildings to climate change impacts, countries can mitigate related costs and risks. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/infrastructure-and-urban-planning
Marine and Fisheries– The marine and fisheries sector supports livelihoods in communities around the world. Helping these industries cope with climate change impacts, while also reducing their own effect on climate change, requires outreach to fishing operations of all sizes ranging from community-based fishing families to large commercial fishing fleets. Transferring technology in the fisheries sector both reduces vulnerability to climate change risks while increasing food security and enhancing the overall health and well-being of fishing communities. Through the CTCN network you can access a range of climate adaptation technologies ranging from open water to closed-loop indoor and shoreline aquaculture fish farming practices. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/marine-and-fisheries
Water– Access to freshwater is essential for our fundamental health and welfare. Water is also essential for sustaining agricultural productivity, and acts as a lubricant and coolant for many industrial processes. CTCN works to increase countries’ resilience to the impacts of climate change on water resources through partnering with organizations, research institutions and businesses. Together they provide established and innovative climate adaptation technologies such as water supply management using GIS, saline water purification and capacity building activities to strengthen vulnerability assessments in communities. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/water
Key mitigation technology interventions in the areas of-Agriculture– The agriculture sector supports lives and livelihoods in communities around the world. FAO estimates that small-scale farmers produce over 70% of the world’s food needs. Helping farmers cope with climate change impacts, while also reducing the sectors greenhouse gas emissions, requires outreach to large and small-scale farm operations. Transferring technology in the farming sector both reduces vulnerability to climate change risks while increasing food security and enhancing the overall health and well-being of farming communities. Ranging from conventional to organic regenerative farming practices, agricultural technologies encompass tools and techniques to grow and process food crops consumed locally and traded around the world. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/agriculture.
Carbon Fixation and abatement– Mitigation of CO2 emissions require a modernization of fossil-fuel based industry and processes. Fossil-fuel based carbon abatement technologies enable fossil fuels to be used with substantially reduced CO2 emissions. One possible way is via Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). CCS is a combination of technologies designed to prevent the release of CO2 generated through conventional power generation and industrial production processes by injecting the CO2 in suitable underground storage reservoirs. The CTCN and its network members enable countries to increase carbon fixation and abatement through CCS, more efficient conversion processes, fuel switching and other established and innovative technologies. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/carbon-fixation-and-abatement
Energy Efficiency– Energy-saving measures are a key approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and often offer simultaneous cost-savings. The CTCN collaborates with industries, organizations and research institutions all over the world to bring energy efficiency technology solutions for mitigating climate change. Together with network members we bring technical assistance to countries such as Uganda, Jordan, and the Seychelles for formulation of national electricity grid codes, rehabilitation of district heating systems and other technology solutions on national, industry and community level.
Forestry– Forests are complex systems that are the home to people, plants, animals, and insects. They provide us with many important ecosystem services and thanks to their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen the forests of the world are often described as the lungs of the Earth. The sector can play an active role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation and land use changes. Sustainable forestry and agroforestry practices can provide innovative sustainable landscape management to safeguard multiple ecosystem services for the provision of economic opportunities that support local livelihoods. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/forestry
Industry- The crosscutting nature of the industry sector means its activities and outputs impact all parts of society. As a result, industry can play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the product lifecycle, starting at the point of raw material extraction, right through production, usage, and end-of-life waste recovery. Many opportunities exist in the provision of services through sustainable procurement, supply chain and logistics that minimize transport and emissions, and application of climate change technology on production plant and manufacturing processes. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/industry
Renewable Energy– The renewable energy sector creates opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while stimulating economic opportunities, alleviating poverty, and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change. Energy technologies encompass tools and techniques to generate and use energy in every segment of our societies, from powering the places we live, work and play, to fueling our transportation vehicles and industries. The CTCN is assisting several countries to transform their energy fleet with renewable energy technologies, ranging from biomass briquettes and solar PV cells to large-scale district heating plants with co-combustion of renewable energy sources. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/renewable-energy
Transport– The CO2 emissions from the transport sector account for about 20% of the total human-induced greenhouse emissions worldwide. The sector spans transport systems for commercial use and leisure, and vehicles used on land, air, inland waterways, and seas. With a view to providing sustainable transport and mitigate climate change impacts, the CTCN brings together relevant stakeholders to provide technical assistance to countries through a combination of well-established and innovative climate technology solutions.
Waste Management– A sustainable handling of waste is key to improving not only health and quality of life by reducing vectors for disease transmission, but also to ensure reduced climate impact. Technologies that allow for a more circular utilization of resources through recycling and reuse, and minimized methane emissions from waste dump sites, in effect also contribute to more healthy communities. This cross-sectorial link provides many development co-benefits. The realization has led to innovations such as methane capturing for biogas used in devices ranging from cooking stoves to biofuel engines, and innovative waste-to-energy technologies. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/waste-management
Cross Cutting approaches:
Endogenous technologies- Endogenous technologies refer to new technologies developed within (or based on the initiative of) a country through research, development, and demonstration. It also refers to technologies acquired through understanding, adapting, utilizing, and replicating already-existing technologies. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/endogenous-technologies
Gender- Technologies are not gender neutral and tackling climate change demands that everyone’s experience and skills are utilized. Therefore, climate technology action needs to ensure that women and men are both engaged in decision-making processes, development and use of technologies, and benefit from their outcomes. Women commonly face higher risks and greater burdens from the impacts of climate change, and their needs must be addressed to ensure effective and equitable climate change actions. Women also bring new perspectives and innovations in identifying and implementing solutions. https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-sectors/gender.
- Nature-based solutions (NbS) are back in vogue and lead to reduction in GHG emissions, promote natural resource conservation and environmental sustainability as well. Is CTCN optimizing environment-friendly technologies to leverage NbS?
Natural infrastructure and ecosystems are essential parts of resilience and governments play an important role in terms of embracing the value of nature and biodiversity and their overall impact on human wellbeing. Learning to live in accord with nature involves actions to reduce vulnerability and protect ecosystem services. Barriers exist to deploying green infrastructure solutions such as ownership cost, maintenance, vandalism, space, and knowledge of the benefits that prevent many governments from implementing such solutions. In addition, widespread urbanization in cities has concretized and restricted rivers and sewers, increasing impervious surfaces and ultimately increasing storm water flooding.
That notwithstanding, CTCN has worked with several countries to deliver nature-based solutions that lead to reduction on Green House Gas emissions and promote natural resource conservation and environmental sustainability. For example, CTCN has provided Technical Support to the Dominican Republic to develop a biological mountain corridor in Los Haitises to identify resilience landscapes and ecosystems that support community livelihoods. The CTCN has also supported the Government of Kenya to develop its National Agro-forestry Strategy (2020-2030) to enhance the role of agro-forestry in addressing climate change impacts in Kenya.
