Introduction: The new reality of climate-driven disasters – WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization

Report on Green Technology Dissemination for Climate Action and Sustainable Development

Introduction: Innovation and the Implementation Gap

A significant increase in innovation aimed at addressing climate change has been observed, directly supporting Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action). The volume of patents related to climate action technologies has grown substantially, from under 400,000 in 2013 to over 1.1 million in 2023. However, a critical gap persists between the development of these solutions and their deployment in communities where they are most needed. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is actively working to bridge this divide, ensuring that technological advancements contribute effectively to global sustainability targets.

WIPO’s Strategic Initiatives for SDG 9 and SDG 13

To facilitate the connection between innovators and users, WIPO has developed key platforms that advance SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). These initiatives are designed to accelerate the adoption of green technologies globally.

• WIPO GREEN: As the largest Greentech platform within the United Nations system, this database contains over 145,000 available technologies, serving as a critical marketplace for sustainable innovation.
• The Green Technology Book: This publication showcases commercially viable technologies from the WIPO GREEN database, translating complex innovations into accessible solutions for a broad audience.

Focus on Climate Disaster Resilience: Aligning with SDG 11

The fourth edition of the Green Technology Book concentrates on technologies for confronting climate-related disasters, a critical component of building resilient communities as outlined in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The urgency of this focus is underscored by recent data:

• A record 151 extreme climate-related events occurred in 2024.
• Events included severe heatwaves, floods, landslides, and typhoons in numerous countries.
• 2024 was the hottest year on record.
• Over 800,000 people were displaced from their homes due to these climate-induced events.

Technological Solutions for Enhanced Preparedness and Response

The technologies featured in the publication are designed to help nations and communities prepare for and respond to climate disasters, thereby strengthening their resilience. The primary objectives of these technologies are to:

1. Enhance emergency response capabilities for more effective coordination and deployment.
2. Bolster financial resilience against the economic shocks of disasters.
3. Facilitate risk transfer mechanisms to protect vulnerable populations.

Examples of such technologies include:

• AI-powered forecasting and early warning systems.
• Digital twin simulations for disaster preparedness.
• Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for real-time monitoring.
• Advanced satellite systems for large-scale environmental analysis.

Fostering Global Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

The creation and dissemination of the Green Technology Book exemplify the power of global collaboration, a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The initiative is a result of a dedicated partnership between WIPO, the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), and Egypt’s Academy of Scientific Research & Technology (ASRT). This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing tangible climate action through the strategic application of innovation and technology.

Conclusion: Accelerating Deployment for Global Impact

The Green Technology Book is intended to be a practical resource for practitioners, policymakers, investors, researchers, and the public. Its primary goal is to accelerate the transfer and deployment of the vast range of available technological solutions to the regions most affected by climate change. By connecting solutions with needs, the initiative aims to mitigate the damaging effects of climate change and advance the broader agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on the development and deployment of technologies to combat climate change and its impacts.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This is the most central SDG in the article. The text is entirely focused on addressing climate change, specifically through technological solutions for climate-related disasters like heatwaves, floods, and storms. It mentions the “record 151 such extreme events in 2024” and how these events “forced more than 800,000 people from their homes,” directly linking the discussion to the urgent need for climate action.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article highlights the critical role of innovation and technology in addressing climate change. It discusses the “surge in technologies and solutions,” the efforts of “researchers, inventors and innovators,” and the creation of platforms like WIPO GREEN to showcase these advancements. The mention of specific technologies like “AI-powered forecasting and digital twins to IoT sensors and satellite systems” underscores the connection to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article explicitly mentions collaboration as a key element in achieving its goals. It highlights the partnership between WIPO, the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), and the Academy of Scientific Research & Technology (ASRT) in Egypt. This collaboration is described as a “testimony to our common vision for advancing tangible climate change action,” which is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Several specific targets can be identified within the framework of the SDGs mentioned above.

1. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article directly supports this target by showcasing technologies in the Green Technology Book that “help countries and people to prepare for these disasters and to be more resilient when they do happen.”
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. The book itself is a tool for awareness-raising, intended to be “accessible and relevant to practitioners, policymakers, investors, researchers and the public.” Furthermore, technologies like “AI-powered forecasting” are direct examples of improving early warning capabilities.

2. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure):

   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries…encouraging innovation. The article’s core theme is the promotion of innovation, evidenced by the statement that “the number of patents relating to climate action rose from under 400,000 in 2013 to more than 1.1 million in 2023.”
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries. The article’s stated mission is to address the gap where “innovations do not reach the people on the ground” and to bring solutions “where they are needed most,” implying a focus on deploying these technologies globally, including in developing nations.

3. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):

   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation. The partnership between WIPO (a UN global body), CTCN, and ASRT (Egypt) is a clear example of international cooperation to advance technology for a common goal.
   • Target 17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries. The WIPO GREEN platform, described as the “largest Greentech platform in the United Nations,” and the Green Technology Book are mechanisms designed specifically to disseminate and diffuse green technologies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress.

1. Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action):

   • The article mentions that “extreme events linked to climate change forced more than 800,000 people from their homes.” This directly relates to the type of data used for Indicator 13.1.1 (Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population), as it quantifies the number of people affected by climate-related disasters.
   • The mention of “a record 151 such extreme events in 2024” serves as an indicator of the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related hazards, which is a key metric for assessing the need for adaptation under Target 13.1.

2. Indicators for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure):

   • A very specific indicator is provided: “The number of patents relating to climate action rose from under 400,000 in 2013 to more than 1.1 million in 2023.” This serves as a direct measure of innovation output relevant to Target 9.5.
   • The WIPO GREEN database, which “now has over 145,000 technologies,” is another quantifiable indicator of the growing pool of available green technologies.

3. Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):

   • The existence of the partnership between WIPO, CTCN, and ASRT is a qualitative indicator of international cooperation (Target 17.6).
   • The size and scope of the WIPO GREEN platform, with its 145,000 technologies, can be seen as an indicator for Target 17.7, as it represents a significant mechanism for the dissemination and transfer of environmentally sound technologies.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wipo.int