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1.3.10 International Cooperation is Essential to Help 2.1
Developing Countries to Strengthen National Innovation
Capacity
It is also well-recognized that limited technological capabilities within
developing countries create a common barrier to effective action in
addressing climate change. The R&D investments of most developing
countries are lower than those of most industrialized countries in
absolute terms and as a proportion of gross domestic product; and
the capabilities of the science and technology enterprises in these
countries remain relatively weak, as illustrated by various technology
and innovation indices. Collaborative R&D between developed and
developing countries can help the latter adopt appropriate technologies
for adaptation and mitigation by providing access to complementary
skills and by supplementing their own capacity.
From the viewpoint of an industrialized country partner,
collaborative R&D can be helpful since such a partnership allows for
a better understanding of local needs and product opportunities that
can help meet these needs. The value of a partnership with developing
country entities that possess complementary knowledge is already
being used by firms in industrialized countries in their strategies
for ‘open innovation’. Realization of the importance of developing
countries’ markets and the need to be close to these markets has also
led to the establishment of R&D centres in these markets.
International collaboration can enable governments to conduct
more RD&D at a lower cost and with less duplication, but most current
collaborative activities in emerging economies focus on facilitating
deployment rather than RD&D. Collaborative RD&D is often difficult,
because sharing knowledge is risky, capabilities for innovation are
limited in some countries, and national regulations and policies related
to RD&D tend to differ.
1.4 Opportunities for Cooperation between China
and India on Low Carbon Technology
1.4.1 Priority Sectors and Areas of Development of Low
Carbon Technologies in China and India
As emerging economies increase their energy use and their CO2
emissions, there is an urgent need to better understand their energy
innovation policies, the magnitude of their RD&D budgets and the
effectiveness of their initiatives. In the 2 degree scenario, emerging
economies like China and India can make the biggest contribution to
the global efforts on CO2 abatement (Figure 1.8).
Chapter 1 Low Carbon Technology and Innovation Policy 57
Developing Countries to Strengthen National Innovation
Capacity
It is also well-recognized that limited technological capabilities within
developing countries create a common barrier to effective action in
addressing climate change. The R&D investments of most developing
countries are lower than those of most industrialized countries in
absolute terms and as a proportion of gross domestic product; and
the capabilities of the science and technology enterprises in these
countries remain relatively weak, as illustrated by various technology
and innovation indices. Collaborative R&D between developed and
developing countries can help the latter adopt appropriate technologies
for adaptation and mitigation by providing access to complementary
skills and by supplementing their own capacity.
From the viewpoint of an industrialized country partner,
collaborative R&D can be helpful since such a partnership allows for
a better understanding of local needs and product opportunities that
can help meet these needs. The value of a partnership with developing
country entities that possess complementary knowledge is already
being used by firms in industrialized countries in their strategies
for ‘open innovation’. Realization of the importance of developing
countries’ markets and the need to be close to these markets has also
led to the establishment of R&D centres in these markets.
International collaboration can enable governments to conduct
more RD&D at a lower cost and with less duplication, but most current
collaborative activities in emerging economies focus on facilitating
deployment rather than RD&D. Collaborative RD&D is often difficult,
because sharing knowledge is risky, capabilities for innovation are
limited in some countries, and national regulations and policies related
to RD&D tend to differ.
1.4 Opportunities for Cooperation between China
and India on Low Carbon Technology
1.4.1 Priority Sectors and Areas of Development of Low
Carbon Technologies in China and India
As emerging economies increase their energy use and their CO2
emissions, there is an urgent need to better understand their energy
innovation policies, the magnitude of their RD&D budgets and the
effectiveness of their initiatives. In the 2 degree scenario, emerging
economies like China and India can make the biggest contribution to
the global efforts on CO2 abatement (Figure 1.8).
Chapter 1 Low Carbon Technology and Innovation Policy 57
