Transfer of low-carbon technologies (LCTs) to developing countries has been recognized as important in global efforts to limit climate change. Yet the mechanics of international technology transfer, especially around intellectual property (IP) rights, have remained a controversial issue in international negotiations. Using a new dataset on international partnerships in China and India in three key LCTs -- solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles, and coal gasification/IGCC -- and complementary expert interviews we study the dynamics of the transfer of IP and the underlying drivers that guide the development of business strategies and partnerships in the context of transitioning IP regimes in emerging markets. We find that weak IP regimes are indeed a hindrance to the diffusion of certain classes of LCTs: (i) for cutting-edge technologies, (ii) for fully-embodied (explicitly codified) technologies, and (iii) for LCTs from small firms. However, we also find that IP issues do not represent a barrier to the diffusion of the relatively mature and low to medium cost LCTs that are materially (at scale) most important for CO2 emissions reduction in the short to medium term. Competitive technology supply, shifting market dynamics, and increasingly vigorous domestic innovation (in emerging markets) coupled with mechanisms and opportunities to structure credible IP deals allow for the diffusion of key LCTs to occur within the context of existing business, political, and institutional structures.

First Published in 2012. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Technological revolutions have increased the world’s wealth unevenly and in ways that have accelerated climate change. This report argues that achieving The Paris Agreement’s objectives would require a massive transfer of existing and commercially proven low-carbon technologies (LCT) from high-income to developing countries where the bulk of future emissions is expected to occur. This mass deployment is not only a necessity but also an opportunity: Policies to deploy LCT can help countries achieve economic and other development objectives, like improving human health, in addition to reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs). Additionally, LCT deployment offers an opportunity for countries with sufficient capabilities to benefit from participation in global value chains and produce and export LCTs. Finally, the report calls for a greater international involvement in supporting the poorest countries, which have the least access to LCT and finance and the most underdeveloped physical, technological, and institutional capabilities that are essential to benefit from technology.

This book explores the opportunities and barriers within the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) framework of the Paris Agreement for low-carbon technology diffusion. Further, it proposes appropriate and feasible mechanisms required at local, national and regional levels to achieve the INDC targets. The book employs both meta policy analysis and scenario building to examine, whether the diffusion of low-carbon energy future by 2030 is economically viable under the INDC framework and how international technology cooperation could accelerate investments on the scale required for achieving the INDC targets. Further, this book provides new perspectives on market and non-market mechanisms for the globalization of low-carbon technologies, within the framework conditions of the Paris Agreement, which will be of significant value to senior policy makers, multi-disciplinary academia, and investing communities.

The future of China, India and Asia’s other emerging economies and their ability to take a ‘low-carbon’ and ‘climate-resilient’ development path determine the future of global carbon emissions and climate change. Indeed, the battle to confront global climate change will be won or lost in Asia. The transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy (LCE), which involves many steps towards improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources and transport systems, sustainable land use, eco-friendly consumption and proactive adaptation, may be regarded as the world's fourth revolution, after the industrial revolution, agricultural revolution, and the information revolution. Asia is highly vulnerable to impacts of climate change. Yet because of its dynamic economies and massive populations, Asia offers the greatest opportunity for overcoming the trade-offs and pursuing low-carbon development pathways. With a growing consensus that there is limited time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, scientists, engineers, policymakers, and economists across Asia have recently begun discussions on how Asia can make a transition to LCE. Most discussions, however, focused on transfer of technologies from developed to developing countries and overlooked other equally important challenges such as financing, governance, and information dissemination. This book is the first to look at these neglected aspects of LCE and attempt to integrate both market-based and technology-based solutions into a comprehensive strategy to creating a roadmap for LCE in Asia. This book is an essential reading for economists, policy makers, practitioners, engineers and researchers concerned with climate change, energy production and development in Asia and the impacts and potential for the world.

The book discusses climate technology transfer under the UNFCCC framework, and China’s relevant legislation and practices. It first explores theoretical basis of climate change-related technology transfer, with a particular focus on the differences between climate technology transfer and business-as-usual performance. The book then reviews practices of both technology supplier and user, in order to generally identify potential legal barriers and obstacles. Finally, it sheds light on China, providing a comprehensive assessment on barriers that hinder the trans-boundary transfers of low carbon technologies and need to be overcome in future. The issues concerned involve two of the most dynamic areas in current China’s lawmaking progress: environment laws and Intellectual Property laws. The book provides an in-depth analysis on China’s legislation and practices in this regard. At international level, the legal framework of climate technology transfer is examined in a systematic, prudent and constructive manner. On this basis, the book highlights potential commons, consistency and possible coordination between the UNFCCC and the WTO regime. This book is accessible to both Chinese and international environmental law specialists. It appeals to a broad readership, including environmental scientists, economists concerned with China’s intellectual property law, foreign investment law and anyone interested in the topic: how to green intellectual property rights regime for climate technology transfer in the China context.

Innovation is an inherently risky and uncertain process. Many of the broader challenges to innovation in general are both mirrored and exaggerated in environmental innovation. The four primary issues are externalities, uncertainty, asymmetric information, market power. Green technology is characterized by two market failures: the public goods nature of knowledge and environmental externalities. In addition, uncertainty regarding the qualities of the innovation, as well as future prices of inputs and substitutes will complicate the development and adoption processes. Ultimately, uncertainty and changing regulations may both encourage and inhibit environmental innovation, providing policymakers with a critical and challenging role in the process. This study centers on the three aspects of environmental innovation: development, dissemination and financing. As such, it also aims to offer some guidance as to the types of enabling factors that can play a role in positive national or (sub)regional systems of innovation, in the developed and developing world. The discussion focuses on recent work on the role of uncertainty, the participation of emerging and developing nations, and the variety of market actors and strategies in place. The paper also considers the policy instruments that are available, the cost, benefits and consequences of their use. As scholars continue to analyze when, where, why and how eco-innovations are developed and adopted, it is essential that government policymakers aim to reduce uncertainty and risk and foster transparency in the market. This continues to be a field of increasing future importance, and a rich area for continued academic study and analysis. Consumers, government policymakers and innovators would all benefit from a greater understanding of the process of technological change that contributes to the development, diffusion and financing of environmental technologies.