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Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the British Columbia forest industry, 1990–2005

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  • Aben, Kyle
  • Hartley, Ian D.
  • Wilkening, Ken

Abstract

What are the drivers and determinants of technological changes related to climate change? We investigated the motivations for technological change which led to major reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the British Columbia forest industry between 1990 and 2005. We found that the technological changes that brought these reductions were induced technological changes and were characterized primarily by the adoption of ‘large leap’ (i.e., big GHG reduction) technologies. Some of the motivations for the induced changes are related to climate change (carbon neutrality, consumer demand, and corporate responsibility), others were not (cost savings, government regulation, and consumer demand). The results of our study should give policymakers more confidence to promulgate policies that stimulate invention, improvement, and adoption of GHG-reducing technologies. In addition, our study reveals how it is possible to avoid tradeoffs between economics and the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Aben, Kyle & Hartley, Ian D. & Wilkening, Ken, 2010. "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the British Columbia forest industry, 1990–2005," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 288-294.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:32:y:2010:i:4:p:288-294
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2010.10.005
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    Cited by:

    1. Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour & Diego Vazquez‐Brust & Charbel José Chiappetta Jabbour & Daniela Andriani Ribeiro, 2020. "The interplay between stakeholders, resources and capabilities in climate change strategy: converting barriers into cooperation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1362-1386, March.
    2. Callegari, Beniamino & Nybakk, Erlend, 2022. "Schumpeterian theory and research on forestry innovation and entrepreneurship: The state of the art, issues and an agenda," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).

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