Technology Transfer and the Environment

Developing countries are essential players in environmental conservation. It has been recognized that transfer of technologies between countries should emphasize the transfer of environmentally sound technologies. For example, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has identified national governments and certain international agreements as key elements of an effective, environmentally-sound technology transfer system.

Transfer of renewable energy sources, and low greenhouse gas emitting engines and generators are initiatives promoted by Global Environment Fund under the auspices of the IPCC. Transfer of these and other technologies that reduce pollution to land and water or reduce consumption of natural resources may require skilled intellectual property negotiators to effectuate.

As efforts to ensure environmentally-sound technology transfer continue to grow, developing countries will increasingly be called upon to navigate thickets of intellectual property rights in order to license and access the relevant technologies. Countries may need to conform their policies and regulations accordingly. As such, developing countries could benefit greatly by having access to professional assistance from intellectual property professionals experienced in technology transfer.

Nature Biotechnology Vol. 22 No. 11 November, 2004. Industry Wary of NIH Consultancy Moratorium (PDF)

IPCC Special Report on Methodological and Technological Issues in Technology Transfer Examines the role of technology transfer in addressing climate change and puts it in the framework of sustainable development.

1/9

Technology Transfer and the Environment

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade’s (GATT) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Annex 1C to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, Uruguay Round, World Trade Organization, done at Marrakesh, Apr. 15, 1994, 33 I.L.M. 1981 (1994), reprinted in World Trade Organization, The Results of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations 365 (1995) [hereinafter, -TRIPS]. 31 I.L.M. 818 (opened for signature, June 5, 1992, entered into force Dec. 29, 1993) [hereinafter, -CBD].

International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants established by the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (" UPOV Convention "). The UPOV Convention was adopted on December 2, 1961, by a Diplomatic Conference held in Paris.

New Rules for Natural Products - Michael Gollin. Dwindling natural resources have spurred tighter regulations for biodiversity prospecting, Sept. 1, 1999.

Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore , Third Session, Geneva, June 13 to 21, 2002.

Non-Governmental Organizations Involved in Environment and IP

2/9

Technology Transfer and the Environment

African Regional Intellectual Property Organization

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

CAS-IP Blog

Centre for International Environmental Law

Commission on Intellectual Property Rights

3/9

Technology Transfer and the Environment

Ecologic Institute

ETCgroup

Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development

Global Biodiversity Information Facility

Grupo de Propriedad Intelectual

Institute de Investigacion de Recursos Biologicos Alexander von Humboldt

4/9

Technology Transfer and the Environment

Institute for African Development

Institute of Intellectual Property 

Intellectual Property Watch

International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development

International Gender and Trade Network

5/9

Technology Transfer and the Environment

International Intellectual Property Institute

IP and Sustainable Development Blog

IP Menu

IPR Helpdesk

I PRsonline

Navdanya

6/9

Technology Transfer and the Environment

Pesticide Action Network

Science and Development Network

SRISTI

Third World Network

UNCTAD 2003 Literature Survey on IP

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

7/9

Technology Transfer and the Environment

United Nations University

United States Government IP Programs

World Intellectual Property Organization

World Trade Organization

8/9

Technology Transfer and the Environment

9/9