This background paper was inspired by W. Brian Arthur’s book, The Nature of Technology (2009a), summarized at the end. A distinction is made between energy technologies, measures to improve energy efficiency, and technologies to improve land and coastal management (Cosier 2008, Nellemann et al. 2009). Without relying entirely on their opinions, two main sources provide a framework for assessing technologies (Jacobson 2009, Goodall 2008). Other sources assist in classifying descriptions of individual technologies into the three classes. The final section deals with the diffusion of technologies with an emphasis on the least developed countries, reflecting the observation that climate change and the poverty trap are the most urgent pair of issues facing the world (Stern 2009). The section includes descriptions of current trends in biotechnology, technologies exploring alternative ways to industrialized agriculture, and the role of technology in assisting the least developed countries, including Sub‐Saharan Africa.