Driving low-carbon Innovation and Sustainable Technology Development

Overview

UNIDO sees innovation as key to mitigating and adapting to climate change and MSMEs as the main enablers of innovative solutions. Given the scale of climate mitigation and adaptation action needed, their involvement is essential. UNIDO’s Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) and the Facility for Low-Carbon Technology Deployment (FLCTD) are the two solutions supporting MSMEs with low-carbon solutions. GCIP fosters the deployment of cleantech innovations by accelerating MSMEs to commercialize and scale up their innovations and strengthening the whole ecosystems around cleantech. FLCTD focuses on the deployment of low-carbon technologies in India's industrial sector, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing emissions.

Approach

Our comprehensive approach to fostering sustainable development focuses on empowering startups and MSMEs, utilizing innovative methodologies, and forging strategic partnerships to drive the global energy transition and support low-carbon innovations

Supporting MSMEs in developing and upscaling low-carbon innovations and accelerating the deployment of energy-efficient technologies. Providing MSMEs with mentoring, training, technical assistance and access to funding. Engaging MSMEs in advanced acceleration support and subsequent technology validation. Developing industry-specific and inclusive policy frameworks and capacity-building tools for governments.

Business acceleration and mentoring, capacity building, projects piloting and technology validation, policy support, and market access strategies. Additionally, strong emphasis on strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems by enhancing stakeholders' capacity and promoting the practical application of new technologies.

Leveraging international collaboration, engaging stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Working closely with local governments, industry experts, and financial institutions to build robust ecosystems that support sustainable development, policy implementation, and the global energy transition.

Estimated implementation duration

Depending on scope 6 months to 3 years

Potential locations for implementation:

Global, South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Namibia, Senegal, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Viet Nam, Türkiye, Ukraine, Moldova, Uruguay

Solution Partner(s)

United Nations Industrial Development Organization

Cleantech Group

Impact

Key Indicators

1,500+ MSMEs supported by GCIP across more than 15 countries, providing them with mentoring, training, and access to funding.

43 innovative technologies in India validated by FLCTD in India ranging from waste heat recovery systems to advanced motor technologies and energy-efficient building materials

17 countries in GCIP network representing emerging markets and developing economies

10+ frameworks and guidelines on acceleration and cleantech policy and ecosystem strengthening developed under GCIP

140 innovations by FLCTD provided as support in mentoring and validation

30 of the validated innovations are commercially available as industry decarbonizing products and solutions. One per cent market adoption of these technologies can reduce 3.8 million tons of GHG emissions annually

7.6 million tonnes of CO2 mitigated by the combined efforts of GCIP and FLCTD

SDGs:

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean energy

SDG 8: Decent work and Economic Growth

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 13: Climate action

UNIDO Priorities:

Ending hunger

Sustainable supply chains

Thematic Area(s):

Industrial decarbonization

Training and skills

Agro-technology and innovation

Policy advisory

Rural development

Digital transformation

Gender equality and women

Investment promotion

Environmental protection

GCIP is a unique programme that fosters a systemic approach to low-carbon innovation development. It combines direct support to startups with the ecosystem building, which leads to a multiple value creation and ensures a wide impact.

Olga Rataj

Associate Industrial Development Officer, UNIDO

Technology Used

The two programmes support cleantech and low-carbon technologies across verticals such as renewable energy, energy and water efficiency, waste management, green transportation, advanced materials, energy-efficient motors, HVAC systems, and industrial automation.

Catalytic Outlook

While focusing on different levels of intervention, both programmes aim to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of MSMEs developing low-carbon innovations to advance just energy transition, inclusive and sustainable industrial development and mitigate climate change.

Unique Solution Characteristics

Systems transformation approach integrates acceleration, ecosystem support, emphasizing technology validation, commercialization, and demand-side engagement for low-carbon innovations, delivering lasting environmental, social and economic benefits, including job creation, poverty reduction, and women/youth empowerment.

Previous Funding Source(s)

Global Environment Facility
Green Climate Fund

Dedicated Resources

Acceleration support for MSMEs developing low-carbon innovations (skills development), Investment facilitation, Ecosystem strengthening tools and mechanisms, Capacity building for national ecosystem stakeholders involved in low carbon innovations development, Impact assessment methodologies, Technology validation, piloting and commercialization support

Overview

Impact

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