Environmental Policy, Technological Innovation and Patents

This report presents three case studies to illustrate the relationship between environmental policy and technological innovation. The case studies cover abatement technologies for wastewater effluent from pulp production, abatement of motor vehicle emissions, and development of renewable energy technologies. On the basis of patent data, the nature, extent, and causes of innovation in each of these areas have been explored.

While a particular focus has been placed on the role of environmental policy in bringing about the innovation documented, it is recognised that other factors play a key role in inducing innovation that has positive environmental implications.

Table of Contents
List of Acronyms
Executive Summary
Chapter 1. Environmental Policy, Technological InnovatIon and Patent Activity
1. Introduction
2. The economics of innovation and eco-innovation
3. Measures of innovation and eco-innovation
4. The policy determinants of eco-innovation
5. The case studies
Notes
References
Annex 1.A1. Sources of Patent Data
Annex 1.A2. Patent Classification Systems
Annex 1.A3. Number of EPO Applications in Different
Environmental Areas
Chapter 2. Environmental Regulation and International Innovation
in Automotive Emissions Control Technologies
1. Introduction
2. Environmental regulation in the automobile sector
3. Innovation in automotive emissions control technologies
4. Empirical analysis and results
5. Conclusions
Notes
References
Annex 2.A1. Overview of Technologies and Corresponding Patent Classes
Chapter 3. Policy Versus Consumer Pressure: Innovation and Diffusion of Alternative Bleaching Technologies in the Pulp Industry
1. Introduction
2. The pulp and paper industry
3. Pollution and the pulp and paper industry
4. Regulatory responses
5. Data
6. Analysis
7. Conclusions
Notes
References
Annex 3.A1. Relevant Patent Classes for Pulp Bleaching Technologies
Chapter 4. Renewable Energy Policies and Technological Innovation:
Energy Source and Instrument Choice
1. Introduction
2. The renewable energy sector: trends, technologies and policies
3. Patent applications for renewable energy
4. Empirical analysis
5. Conclusions
Notes
References
Annex 4.A1. First Page of Sample Patent Application
Chapter 5. Policy Conclusions and Further Work
1. Policy conclusions
2. Further work
Notes
Annex 5.A1. Glossary of Relevant Patent and Related Terms