A proposal for climate innovation centers recently were approved at the UN conference on global climate change in Copenhagen. Each of these climate innovation centers will focus on a particular key technology area and a produce that helps tackle climate change.

The proposal was put forth by India. Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said India is willing to curb its growth in carbon emissions, though it still rejects the prospect of a "peaking" year and international scrutiny. It is likely, however, that a climate innovation center will be based in India.

The Climate Technology Program at the World Bank is a proponent of these climate innovation centers. According to the program, these centers form part of a holistic approach to innovation. These centers leverage economic opportunities in developing countries through technology entrepreneurship and small-and-medium enterprise development. The ultimate goal would be an international network of these climate innovation centers, facilitating cross-border and cross-hemispheric cooperation and collaboration on climate change.