Sustainable Tech Transfer Within the Framework of the 2030 Agenda

Within the framework of the publication Transforming Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development [1], the Secretary-General of the United Nations pointed out the role that extractive industries play in the development of countries that possess natural resources and how these industries have the potential to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to the 2030 Agenda. Likewise, the document Mapping the Oil and Gas Industry to the Sustainable Development Goals: An Atlas [2] indicates various actions that can be carried out by the hydrocarbon industry to create a positive impact on the 17 SDGs. Among these actions are Technology Transfer and Training, which have an impact on, at least, SDGs 4, 8 and 9, as well as Goal 17 (Partnerships to achieve the Goals).

In accordance with the foregoing, Technology Transfer projects derived from voluntary and/or contractual actions have an impact on, at least, the following SDGs:

Local Content Strategy

Workforce Education

Technology Training

Skills Assessments

Local Employment

Workforce and Supplier Development

Share Use Infrastructure

Technology Transfer

However, the incidence toward the SDGs must be measured objectively (both quantitative and qualitative), allowing not only an evaluation of the impacts of these activities in relation to Technology Transfer, but also to potentiate the benefits toward other SDGs. In this sense, the same document, Transforming Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development, points out the opportunity of using standards like the UNFC (United Nations Framework Classification [3]) and the UNRMS (United Nations Resource Management System [4]) as tools that allow evaluating the full sustainability potential of projects related to extractive industries.

It should be noted that these standards are being applied in Mexico and Latin America through the International Center of Excellence in Sustainable Resource Management ICE-SRM [5] (the same one referred to by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on the convenience of having this center for Mexico and Latin America [6]), and which was established in accordance with the designation criteria established by UNECE [7], which officially began operations in Mexico in December 2021 under the guidance and supervision of the group of experts known as EGRM (Expert Group on Resource Management) [8].

Regarding the purpose of the ICE-SRM center, it consists of assisting the institutions of the extractive and energy industries, both in the state and in the private sector, in meeting their sustainability goals within the framework of the SDGs of the 2030 agenda. The main focus areas include hydrocarbons, mining, renewable energy, energy efficiency and efficient resource management.

The center's strategic objective is to develop these target areas with federal government entities, triggering development opportunities with the state government and consequently creating alliances with state and industry companies as a strategic and operational objective respectively. Regarding the fulfillment of the sustainability goals and the 2030 Agenda, a series of steps is proposed to provide a better follow-up:

• Diffusion

• Training

• Diagnosis

• Roadmap

• Implementation

• Evaluation

• Certification

The process of identification, evaluation, supervision and, where appropriate, certification of projects linked to Technology Transfer activities, under the UNFC and UNRMS standards related to contracts, will be aligned with the corporate vision of the company, as well as with its actions on sustainability in the country and those of normative and regulatory compliance.

In relation to the contractual obligation, it is considered that the transfer projects will be in accordance with the provisions of the Guide for the Presentation of Technology Transfer Programs (TTP) issued by the Ministry of Economy. This guide includes the following steps:

1. Challenge or Technological Need:

• Detailed description of the technology(s), process(es) or methodology(ies) to be transferred.

• Study of Technological Needs of the hydrocarbons sector or own justification.

• Relationship of technology(s), process(es) or methodology(s) to be transferred with the Plan/Program

2. Transfer Mechanism

• Identification of the mechanism(s) to be used to transfer the technology(s), process(es) or methodology(ies):

  • Construction and operation of technology research and development centers (including laboratories).

  • Financing and contributions to R&D programs.

  • Patents developed and registered in Mexico.

  • Specialized training for national workers.

  • Adaptation and implementation of technologies.

  • Specialized training for national researchers, academics, and students.

• Description of the mechanism(s) to be used to achieve the systematic transfer of technological knowledge.

3. Collaboration with higher education institutions and research centers.

• Form of collaboration with Institutions of Higher Studies.

• Evidence that supports this collaboration.

4. Schedules and projections of amounts to be invested.

• Scheduling of the activities proposed in the PTT, including detailed information.

5. Vision of Benefits.

• Development opportunity that it represents for Mexico.

• Explanation of the expected tangible benefits.

• Total number of direct and indirect beneficiaries and their benefits.

6. Performance indicators and proof of execution.

• Proof that the Contractor suggests confirming the execution of the activities in the TTP.

• Performance indicators that the Contractor suggests measuring the progress of the activities proposed in the TTP.

References:

[1] https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sg_policy_brief_extractives.pdf

[2] https://www.undp.org/publications/mapping-oil-and-gas-industry-sdgs-atlas

[3] https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/energy/se/pdfs/UNFC/publ/UNFC_ES61_Update_2019.pdf

[4] https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/2017886_E_ECE_ENERGY_134_WEB.pdf

[5] https://ice-srm-lat.org/

[6] https://unece.org/climate-change/news/countries-are-committing-implementation-united-nations-resource-management

[7] https://unece.org/ice-srm-0

[8] https://unece.org/sed/documents/2021/02/working-documents/egrm-bureau-membership