Abstract
Technology transfer plays a key role in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper, we characterize the factors that promote or hinder the international diffusion of climate-friendly technologies using detailed patent data from 96 countries for the period 1995–2007. The data provide strong evidence that lax Intellectual Property regimes have a strong and negative impact on the international diffusion of patented knowledge. Restrictions on international trade and foreign direct investment also hinder the diffusion of climate-friendly technologies. Surprisingly, local technological capabilities tend to discourage transfers. While broad indicators of technology capabilities are expected to facilitate transfers, this latter result stems from our technology-specific definition of local capabilities, which makes it possible to capture a substitution effect between local and foreign inventions.
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Dechezleprêtre, A., Glachant, M. & Ménière, Y. What Drives the International Transfer of Climate Change Mitigation Technologies? Empirical Evidence from Patent Data. Environ Resource Econ 54, 161–178 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-012-9592-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-012-9592-0