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1.5 Discussion and the Way Forward
Focussing on low carbon technology development and innovation
across sectors would have certain co-benefits in terms of growth,
inclusion, local environment, and carbon mitigation (Planning
Commission, Twelfth Plan, Vol. 1). A brief qualitative assessment of
co-benefit potential would be an important dimension of technology
Figure 1.8 Co-benefits framework for technology innovation
Source: Author’s compilation
development and innovation in the developing country context (see
Figure 1.8).
India needs to adopt low carbon strategies in order to improve the
sustainability of its growth process, while carbon mitigation will be
an important co-benefit. Low carbon technology development and
innovation in India would also need to factor in the social pillar of
sustainable development as evident in the concept of ‘inclusive growth’
elucidated in the definition of ‘green growth’ of the Thirteenth Finance
Commission of India. At the same time, since ‘economic growth’ would
remain a priority of developing countries, competitiveness of domestic
industries would continue to be relevant.
Figure 1.9 plots the data on patent applications to the EPO in
environment-related technologies, collected for six Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries and
five non-OECD countries for the year 2008. It can be observed, very
clearly, that for developing countries including India and China, the
percentage share of patents of the country in categories of general
environmental management (air, water, waste) and energy generation
from renewable and non-fossil sources is more. This could also
234 Low Carbon Development in China and India
Focussing on low carbon technology development and innovation
across sectors would have certain co-benefits in terms of growth,
inclusion, local environment, and carbon mitigation (Planning
Commission, Twelfth Plan, Vol. 1). A brief qualitative assessment of
co-benefit potential would be an important dimension of technology
Figure 1.8 Co-benefits framework for technology innovation
Source: Author’s compilation
development and innovation in the developing country context (see
Figure 1.8).
India needs to adopt low carbon strategies in order to improve the
sustainability of its growth process, while carbon mitigation will be
an important co-benefit. Low carbon technology development and
innovation in India would also need to factor in the social pillar of
sustainable development as evident in the concept of ‘inclusive growth’
elucidated in the definition of ‘green growth’ of the Thirteenth Finance
Commission of India. At the same time, since ‘economic growth’ would
remain a priority of developing countries, competitiveness of domestic
industries would continue to be relevant.
Figure 1.9 plots the data on patent applications to the EPO in
environment-related technologies, collected for six Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries and
five non-OECD countries for the year 2008. It can be observed, very
clearly, that for developing countries including India and China, the
percentage share of patents of the country in categories of general
environmental management (air, water, waste) and energy generation
from renewable and non-fossil sources is more. This could also
234 Low Carbon Development in China and India
