Cleantech Taxonomy Synthesis Methodology

How the Cleantech Taxonomy Is Built

The Cleantech Taxonomy is a synthesis product — it does not replicate any single upstream source but combines structural elements from four institutional sources into a unified classification schema for LATAM climate innovation.

Synthesis Process

Step 1: Structural Backbone (CPI)

CPI's Global Landscape of Climate Finance provides the primary sector structure. Its 9 sectors organize all Cleantech Taxonomy nodes at the top level. CPI was chosen because:

• It is itself a composite — synthesising EU Taxonomy, Climate Bonds, IPCC WG3 AR6, and OECD CRS
• It validates its structure against real investment flows tracked annually
• It has a Brazil office and explicitly tracks LATAM climate finance
• Its credibility spans UNFCCC, MDBs, and IPCC simultaneously

Step 2: Regulatory Crosswalk (EU Taxonomy)

Each node is crosswalked to the EU Taxonomy's Climate Delegated Act activities. This provides:

• Technical Screening Criteria (TSC) thresholds for each activity
• Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) requirements
• Alignment with six environmental objectives
• Direct link to Colombian Green Finance Taxonomy (derived from EU Taxonomy)

Step 3: Energy Depth (IEA)

For Energy Systems, Transport, and Industry nodes, the IEA ETCS provides technology-level classification:

• Technology readiness levels (R&D → mainstream)
• Deployment metrics and cost benchmarks
• Critical minerals dependencies
• Net-zero pathway alignment

IEA alignment is marked N/A for non-energy sectors (AFOLU, Waste, Water, ICT).

Step 4: Finance Eligibility (CBI)

CBI sector criteria determine bond certification eligibility. This layer connects the taxonomy to green bond markets and provides:

• Specific project/asset eligibility criteria
• LATAM regional guidance
• Colombia GF Taxonomy alignment (CBI helped develop Colombia's taxonomy)

Step 5: LATAM Gap Extensions (CTH)

21 extension nodes (CT-EX-001 to CT-EX-021) fill gaps none of the 4 upstream sources cover:

• Adaptation Technologies (4): Drought-resistant crops, flood resilience, heat adaptation, early warning
• Nature-Based Solutions & Bioeconomy (5): Community reforestation, mangroves, silvopastoral, NTFPs, PES
• Informal Economy Cleantech (4): Pico-solar, biodigesters, artisanal cleantech, productive energy
• AI/MRV Enabling Technologies (4): Satellite monitoring, AI MRV, traceability, precision ag data
• EUDR Supply Chain Services (4): Certification, due diligence, smallholder TA, operator documentation

Step 6: Regulatory Anchoring (Colombian Frameworks)

All 71 nodes are crosswalked to 6 Colombian regulatory frameworks:

• NDC 2030 (51% GHG reduction target)
• SISCLIMA (institutional coordination)
• CONPES 4075 (energy transition policy)
• Ley 2169/2021 (climate action law)
• Ley 2099/2021 (energy transition law)
• COP16 Cali (biodiversity commitments)

Defensibility

Every Cleantech Taxonomy node traces back to at least one authoritative source. The Source Alignment Map documents exactly which sources inform each node. CTH extensions are explicitly labelled as original work (CC BY 4.0) and tagged with source=CTH v0.1 extension.

Update Protocol

When an upstream source publishes a new version (detected by the monthly watcher), the update follows this protocol:

1. Watcher posts a Watch Report to Book 00
2. CTH reviews the changes and drafts amendments
3. Gideon approves amendments (HITL gate)
4. New Cleantech Taxonomy minor version published (v1.1, v1.2, etc.)
5. Master Index JSON and filtered views updated
6. Version release note posted + agents/apps notified

Annual editorial review is timed to COP season (October-December).