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Technological solutions are imperative for curbing the menaces of climate change. Thus, development of technology and its transfer have become a crucial component in climate negotiations. Within this grandiose set up, intellectual property rights add a new dimension. It is the constant demand of ‘not so rich nations’ that IPRs should not become a hurdle for transfer and allocation of climate technology. Being the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, India has been proactive in climate talks and now is ready move ahead with clean energy development. However, for India the obvious conundrum is about framing proper policies and legal rules that would enlarge technology transfer scenario. Simultaneously, poverty alleviation and sustainable development have been a long-standing challenge for India. An effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and climate change action plans would certainly strengthen India’s position in international arena in years to come.

Keywords

UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), Kyoto Protocol, Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN), Climate Change, Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property Rights, Sustainable Development.

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References

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In this paper, I assume (somewhat arbitrarily) that climate change demands technological solution in terms of its development and transfer. The lack of theoretical justification and mathematical uncertainty are the reasons and such debate far exceeds the scope of current discussion thread. Even though we mostly admit that technology can help in mitigating climate change, it is just a part of the overall solution. We are also required to change our consumption patterns. Improved efficiency of resource should not lead to blatant increase in consumption. Otherwise, as per the classic rebound effect, efficient technology will only take us to the age of oblivion.

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