Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector Jamaica Technology Needs Assessment Workshop June Rawleston Moore

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector Is there such a thing as a Technology for Adaptation? Adaptation defined as “ adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, that moderates harm and exploits beneficial opportunities”

“Any application of equipment, techniques, practical knowledge or skills that would allow natural or human systems to adjust to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, by moderating harm or exploiting beneficial opportunities”

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector What is Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) TNA- Prioritizes Technologies, Practices and Policy Reforms that can be implemented in different sectors of a country to adapt to climate change

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector TNA: identification and evaluation of equipment, techniques, practical knowledge or skills for addressing a particular purpose or activity Purpose/activity: climate change response - Adaptation IPCC Definition-

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector TNA not a stand alone activity- Continuation of work carried out or identified in Jamaican Initial National Communications and will be continued in Second National Communications TNA- Can be considered as an approach by which development and climate change response needs and technology opportunities are integrated

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector Generic Activities Involved in TNA 1- Overview of sectors 2-Priority setting and criteria for technology assessment 3-Barrier analysis and policy needs 4-Stakeholder consultation 5-Synthesis report

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector OVERVIEW OF SECTOR – Preliminary assessment of current status Drawn from existing data and information e.g. First national communication of Jamaica. – Identification of vulnerable sectors in first national communication

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector PRIORITY SETTING AND CRITERIA FOR TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT -Which areas should be priorities? Coastal Zones?, Water Sector?, Agriculture?, Health?

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector PRIORITY SETTING AND CRITERIA FOR TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT What Criteria should be used for identification and selection of technologies? Vulnerability Reduction Potential Development Criteria-job benefits, build capacity Finance- Capital, affordability, market potential Capacity Requirements Proven Technology

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector PRIORITY SETTING AND CRITERIA FOR TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT Hard Technology vs Soft Technology Potential to benefit from technology development and transfer Policies that would support adoption of technologies identified

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector BARRIER ANALYSIS AND POLICY NEEDS What are barriers preventing technology development and technology transfer? Is there enough information on the various technologies? What policies are needed to be put in place to improve technology transfer and development? Social and cultural acceptability

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector BARRIER ANALYSIS AND POLICY NEEDS – Has enough vulnerability assessment work been done? – Integrated and cross-cutting – Should be done at each step of the TNA process

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION Expert Judgment and Knowledge of Sector Wide Participation and transparent process Report Preparation

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector Start of the Needs Assessment process which will continue during the second national communications

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector Example of Adaptation Technology. Electric Reefs- A solution for corals in peril

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector Biorock™ On underwater, conductive structures we assemble a positively charged anode and a negatively charged cathode (structure) Apply a low voltage electric current between them – Safe for swimmers Which causes minerals to crystallize from seawater onto structures Calcium carbonate, white limestone (CaCO3) is formed-Similar to natural coral reefs and tropical white sand Corals adhere to limestone and grow quickly

How a Biorock™ Reef works Cathode (-) Conductive Structure Anode (+) Solar collector or other power supply ( CaCO3) When a positively charged anode and a negatively charged cathode are suspended in sea water with an electric current flowing between them, calcium ions combine with carbonate ions and adhere to the structure (cathode). The result is calcium carbonate. Corals adhere to CaCO3 and grow quickly. Coral Fragments

How to build an electric reef Design the structure Assemble the structure from conductive materials Submerge the structure Attach anode material Attach wires from solar panel or voltage generator Turn on current Watch for bubbles – Signifies limestone forming Attach coral fragments Watch the coral grow

Designing a structure Designs take into account depth, wave action, ocean bottom characteristics and aesthetics Structures are easily built with locally available conductive material (usually rebar)

Considerations for building a Biorock Reef Depth of water Type of ocean bottom Distance from shore Availability of electric power Availability of broken coral fragments Dedication to maintaining reef operation Funding

Typical costs Design — Rebar — Cables — Solar collectors — Voltage generators — Labor — Travel — Licensing fees — Consulting fees —

Biorock corals Grow 3-5 times faster Heal more than 20 times faster Survive high temperatures times more Have hundreds of times more baby coral settlement Attract incredible numbers of fish

Corals can survive under lethal conditions Reefs can be quickly restored where they can’t recover naturally Fishermen can grow reefs and greatly increase fish and shellfish populations and catches, becoming farmers instead of hunters Breakwaters can be built for a fraction of the price of concrete or stone, with vastly greater environmental benefits

Global Coral Reef Alliance Dr. Thomas J. Goreau President Global Coral Reef Alliance 37 Pleasant Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA Telephone: , Web site:

Technology Needs Assessment Adaptation Sector THANK YOU