Dr. Rose Mwebaza, Director of the CTCN
Professor Mahmoud M. Sakr, ASRT President

This year at COP27 in Egypt all eyes will be on the continent of Africa where climate change adaptation is a top priority. Technology is a recognized enabler of climate action for adaptation. But we have yet to fully maximize its potential. Technology and innovation are needed to address the myriad considerations that go into planning for more sustainable cities, improving agricultural production and transforming food systems, building resilience in coastal communities, and protecting and conserving our dwindling water resources. Though adaptation remains underfunded, great advances for example in digital technologies should give us hope.

The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) supports all facets of technology innovation through technical assistance, capacity building and knowledge sharing. Over the past few years, we at the CTCN have observed a rising demand for technical assistance on adaptation and cross-sectoral technologies. Among other initiatives, the CTCN has collaborated with the Adaptation Fund to foster innovation in developing countries through the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator. And the CTCN remains well positioned to support adaptation technology deployment and transfer in developing countries as we embark upon our third programme of work for 2023–2027.

Technology can help us tackle some of the worst impacts of climate change. And innovation is the key to unlocking technology's power to advance adaptation action. Innovation is critical to developed and developing countries alike. It is fundamental to sectors demanding creativity, ingenuity and “thinking outside the box” to address the increasingly complex issues caused and exacerbated by climate change. Each year that passes shows us that no country will escape the impacts of climate change – with each needing to develop, implement and scale up innovative technologies as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The CTCN has partnered with WIPO on this inaugural edition of the Green Technology Book in an effort to raise awareness about the breadth of technologies – some of which are truly remarkable – available to us all. They include some that are “proven” and those at an earlier stage of development (“frontier” and “horizon”) – which is exciting for the future. Importantly, the Green Technology Book affirms what the IPCC has already made clear – many of the technologies and tools we need are already available to us today. It also affirms the imperative to continue our engagement in critical components of technology transfer such as research and development.

We at the CTCN look forward to this collaboration with WIPO in continuing to highlight novel technologies supporting climate solutions across the world. We hope you will be as inspired as we are in presenting them to you.

Dr. Rose Mwebaza
Director of the CTCN

All current national policy documents in Egypt consider science and technology to be vital for the prosperous future of the country, particularly in view of its high level of vulnerability to climate change impacts. Egypt’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy (Egypt STI 2030) revolves around nurturing an enabling environment for STI and improving its ability to produce knowledge efficiently and effectively. This is intended to increase the growth rate of the national economy, develop society sustainably and elevate the quality of life for people.

Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has set out strategic objectives and policies aimed at directing research, development and innovation (RDI) projects toward supporting the country's efforts to achieve sustainable development under the climate change crisis. The plan dates back to early 2017 and focuses much attention on allocating the public funds needed to boost green innovation, as well as RDI in renewable energy, water desalination, recycling research, saline and dryland agriculture, biodiversity, more crops per drop of water, the blue economy and the environment.

The Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) – Egypt’s think tank – has always been capable of providing the vision, roadmaps and policies to pave the way for policymakers to implement Egypt STI 2030. ASRT has always been committed to bringing forward national plans and navigating through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to achieve real solutions, not only for national challenges, but global ones too.

As a result of these efforts, the Egypt STI community now runs the biggest RDI and the ASRT pilots renewable energy facilities. These include the MATS concentrated solar power station, a water desalination plant in Borg El Arab city and the China–Egypt Joint PV (photovoltaic) Lab in Sohag. Furthermore, ASRT has supported the implementation of national projects for the conservation of plant genetic resources, the reintegration of mangrove forest and coral reef rehabilitation in the Red Sea.

The Green Technology Book is a perfect guide for individuals, organizations and policymakers. It highlights the technological solutions available to meet today’s climate challenges, as well as analyzing important current and future innovation trends. This will have a direct impact, in particular on the implementation of adaptation solutions to climate change.

ASRT is proud of its partnership with WIPO and the United Nations in launching this annual Flagship publication promoting green technologies. Our hope is that this can be a vehicle for boosting Egypt’s innovation system, at the same time as creating a global awareness of Egypt’s role in innovation.

Prof. Mahmoud M. Sakr
ASRT President