EU, G-77 Back Proposal To Set Up Mechanism For Tech Transfer To Check Climate INDIA has scored a major success at the Cancun climate change talks when its negotiators managed the backing of EU and G-77 for its proposal to set up a mechanism for technology transfer to deal with climate change. The transfer of technology is crucial as developing countries, particularly the more vulnerable and less developed, do not have the financial or technical wherewithal to develop technologies that can deal with the adverse impacts of climate change. In forging this agreement, India has succeeded in replicating the effort made in the 60s to put together a global effort on agricultural production. That effort saw the establishment of the Consultative Group on international Agriculture Research (CGIAR). This network heralded the research leading up to the Green Revolution. A discussion paper put forward by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh detailing the structure of the technology mechanism has now garnered support from across the aisle. Broadly, it calls for a two-tier system to ensure technology transfer. The structure will comprise a technology executive committee and series of climate technology centres and networks. The mechanism proposes that the networks of existing institutions will report to the technology executive committee, which in turn will report to the Conference of Parties, the supreme decision making body under the aegis of the UN. This structure has been supported by EU, G-77 and China. The US however, is not in agreement. It would like the climate technology centres and networks in a structure that is parallel to the technology executive committee. India has said that it would like to have the technology mechanism operationalised by June 2011. To this end, India has proposed that at Cancun, the agreement be reached on setting up a two-tier structure. Details about the reporting structure would be worked out by middle of 2011, ahead of the Durban annual conference in December. A senior negotiator said that this move would ensure that the technology transfer mechanism is frozen and put in place. Sources in the Indian delegation suggest that with a few more rounds of negotiations and bilaterals, the issue of reporting lines too could be resolved. This is a likelihood as Ramesh, who arrives in Cancun on Saturday, will be leading the talks on technology. The proposed mechanism will help rapid adoption of climate technology in a cost effective manner. It is suggested that in order to ensure a