TOCSIN is a research project within the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Commission. Its full title is TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED COOPERATION AND STRATEGIES IN INDIA AND CHINA: REINFORCING IN EU DIALOGUE WITH DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ON CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION.
Contents
The project
The project identifies and assesses technology options for the reduction of GHG emissions in India and China and the conditions for a strategic cooperation on RD&D and technology transfer with the European Union, including the institutional architecture. TOCSIN analyzes incentives for the participation of developing countries (DCs) in post-2012 GHG emissions reduction strategies and technological cooperation. Finally, it evaluates how the Clean Development Mechanism and international emission trading improve the attractiveness of new energy technology options for India and China.
The research
The research is structured around the use of an ensemble of models that are being coupled together via advanced large scale mathematical programming techniques. The models include a MARKAL/TIMES bottom-up techno-economic model, a multi-region computable generable equilibrium model of the world economy (energy technology), a multi-region integrated model (WITCH ) representing the effect of technology competition on economic growth, and a game theoretic framework to analyze self-enforcing agreements (i.e. agree¬ments that the signatories stick to even in the absence of a higher authority).
The project has seven work packages:
- Defining policy scenarios and RD&D cooperation,
- Bottom-up techno-economic modelling for India and China in the global context,
- Top-down CGE modelling and analysis for India and China,
- Coupling BU and TD models and designing game models,
- Effectiveness and acceptability of technology-oriented climate coopera¬tion with DCs,
- Dissemination activities,
- Management.
The project started in January 2007. The project deadline is June 2009. Two dissemination workshops/conferences are foreseen in March 2008 in Venice, Italy, and in June 2009 in Beijing, China.
Project partners
Policy background and research objectives
In recent years, a large number of bilateral agreements on technology and scientific cooperation have been signed involving many countries worldwide. This includes the EU and China Partnership on Climate Change and the EU-India Initiative on Clean Development and Climate Change. There is therefore an increasing focus on international technological cooperation as a main way to address the climate change problem.
TOCSIN evaluates climate change mitigation options in China and India and the conditions for a strategic cooperation on RD&D and technology transfer with EU. The project identifies and assesses technology options that might significantly reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in China and India in key sectors (i.e. power generation, transport, agriculture, and heavy industry). It also defines the necessary institutional and organizational architecture that would stimulate technological cooperation. The research emphasizes the strategic dimension of RD&D cooperation, and the key role of creating incentives for the participation of developing countries (DCs) in post-2012 GHG emissions reduction strategies and technological cooperation. Finally it evaluates how the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and international emission trading (IET) might improve the attractiveness of new energy technology options for DCs, and thus contribute to stimulate RD&D cooperation and technology transfers toward China and India.