Boosting Climate Action: Funding National Innovation Systems
UN Climate Change News, 30 April 2025 – The Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) – two bodies of the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism – held meetings this month in Copenhagen to advance climate technology efforts. During their joint session, they convened a dialogue on financing national systems of innovation (NSI), bringing together providers and recipients of support to share experiences and real-world insights on bolstering climate innovation.
Following the approach of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the TEC defines NSI as “a network of actors, institutional contexts and linkages that underlie national technological change”, essential for achieving climate and sustainable development goals. In 2023, the TEC published six country cases studies and a summary for policymakers outlining good practices and lessons learned from establishing and implementing NSI.
Success Stories
The dialogue showcased examples of countries and regions financing innovation systems in diverse contexts:
Strengthening Innovation Systems
Key messages from the discussion emphasized the importance of policy coherence, systemic approaches and multi-level collaboration:
The Technology Mechanism’s Role
Strengthening NSI is a shared priority in the 2023-2027 joint work programme of the TEC and the CTCN. As TEC Vice Chair Thibyan Ibrahim noted: “While primarily being a national responsibility and prerogative, international actors could complement, catalyze and accelerate national efforts on strengthening NSI.”
Representatives from both bodies reaffirmed their commitment to supporting developing countries by working closely with relevant actors – including UNFCCC’s national designated entities (NDEs) for technology development and transfer – to provide policy and implementation support.
Learn more
https://unfccc.int/news/accelerating-climate-innovation-financing-national-systems-of-innovation-for-action