According to the International Energy Agency (IEA, 2023), around 35% of the emissions reductions required to achieve a global net-zero scenario by 2050 must derive from technologies currently at the demonstration or prototype stages. In line with this, the A2D Facility accelerates the commercialization of innovative clean energy solutions in developing countries, focusing on critical minerals, clean hydrogen, smart energy and industrial decarbonization. These areas are crucial for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global climate targets and catalyzing sustainable industrial development in developing countries.
Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) Facility
Implementing Clean Energy Innovation through Catalytic Demonstration Projects in Developing Countries
Overview
Approach
The solution aims to foster transformational change in developing countries through grant support, knowledge dissemination, and the strategic leveraging of private finance and public funding.
The solution provides grant funding to support the implementation and operation of catalytic demonstration projects in the initial thematic areas-of-focus (critical minerals, clean hydrogen, smart energy, and industrial decarbonization) in developing countries (countries that are eligible to receive Official Development Assistance (ODA)).
The solution enhances knowledge, capacity building, data and networks, which result in the creation of an innovation ecosystem that encourages scalability, replication, and the potential for transformational change.
The solution demonstrates the benefits and feasibility of innovative clean energy technologies while leveraging private finance and public funding, generating a higher impact on the ground, and accelerating the clean energy transition.
Impact
The A2D Facility has a particular focus on supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (climate action), 1 (reducing poverty) and 9 (infrastructure and innovation), as well as a range of co-benefits, such as gender equality, social inclusion and safeguards, in developing countries through demonstration projects that have the potential for scalability and transformational change.
Key Indicators
SDGs:
UNIDO Priorities:
Thematic Area(s):
These are the areas that are absolutely necessary for the global clean energy transition. Developing countries are where we need support for innovation in clean energy transitions the most. But grant funding for them is limited and access to finance very difficult. The A2D Facility will speed up developing and deploying the clean energy solutions we need and will make a significant contribution to decarbonization efforts in industries in developing countries.
Dr. Gerd Müller
Director General of UNIDO
Technology Used
The A2D Facility currently focuses on innovative clean energy solutions in critical minerals, clean hydrogen, smart energy and industrial decarbonization. The innovative solutions supported will be published by early 2025.
Catalytic Outlook
The A2D Facility aims to build a suite of proven clean energy solutions ready for wider uptake. This leads to a sustainable shift in local markets by enabling clean energy solutions, catalyzing increased climate ambition, and driving transformational change in supported countries.
Unique Solution Characteristics
It fills an important gap in the landscape of innovation funds that support developing countries through Official Development Assistance (ODA), as it targets the demonstration phase of the innovation chain.
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Related Links
- A2D Facility website
- A2D Facility LinkedIn
- A2D Facility press releases: UNIDO and UK hold Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) …
- A2D Facility press releases: UK and UNIDO strengthen collaboration through newl…
- A2D Facility press releases: UK, UNIDO launch ambitious programme to accelerate…
- A2D Facility stakeholder mailing list registration
