The Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN) as the operational arm of the Technology Mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has the mission to foster technology transfer in developing countries. This Master thesis evaluates the operational effectiveness of the CTCN being in its third year of operation and reflects on implications for the future development of the CTCN. It includes the three objectives of reviewing the current operations in reflection to the CTCN’s political mandate, analyzing the stakeholders’ perception in terms of operations as well as effectiveness and formulating policy recommendations.As the necessary background information, the thesis describes how climate change is addressed in the CTCN context. Therefore, the framework the CTCN originated from is presented and critical reflections on the UNFCCC within the contemporary literature are embedded, the special role of developing countries in relation to climate change is elaborated to emphasize the CTCN’s focus on these actors, characteristics of technology transfer are pointed out and the benefits of the network approach, as chosen by the CTCN, are highlighted. The CTCN itself is described thoroughly in terms of its mission, political mandate, organizational structure and targets.
The research methodology to fulfil the purpose of the thesis is threefold. First, a quantitative and qualitative target analysis investigates the current status of the CTCN’s operation and in reflection to the responsibilities and targets set in the political mandate. Second, a sector and regional coverage analysis investigates the CTC Network. Third, two stakeholder surveys directed at the receivers, the national focal points for the CTCN within developing countries, and suppliers, the CTC Network members, of the assistance in technology transfer are conducted. The research results are comprehensively evaluated and show that the CTCN is indeed operationally effective given the predominant circumstances, as a result of the complex climate negotiations under the UNFCCC, and being a relatively young institution with an ambitious task at hand. However, the thesis reveals several matters that require improvement and the attention of the CTCN. These are translated into policy recommendations that can further increase the operational effectiveness. It is emphasized that several achievements since its establishment are evident, but the CTCN faces further challenges in its development. Nevertheless, the CTCN has the advantage of basing future progress on already successful and promising structures.