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Measurements and Trends in Technological Eco-Innovation: Evidence from Environment-Related Patents

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Urbaniec

    (Institute of Economics, Cracow University of Economics, 31-510 Kraków, Poland)

  • Justyna Tomala

    (Institute of Economics, Cracow University of Economics, 31-510 Kraków, Poland)

  • Sergio Martinez

    (Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA)

Abstract

The concept of eco-innovation addresses a reduction in negative environmental impacts and the more efficient use of resources. As an integral part of eco-innovation, green technologies are receiving increasing attention due to growing environmental concerns. Patent data are one of the measures of the output of technological eco-innovation. However, understanding the patenting of eco-innovation comes with challenges. The aim of this study is to measure the output of eco-innovation and to analyse the trends in green technologies based on environment-related patents in the world’s leading countries from 2000 to 2017. For this research, a range of data collection techniques based on patent data from leading countries such as China, Korea, Japan, United States and Germany were employed. The study provides a comprehensive overview of changes and trends in the development of environmental technologies using different domains. In particular, significant progress has been made in the areas of environmental technologies and climate change mitigation technologies related to energy generation, transmission or distribution. These technologies are closely linked to international environmental policies such as climate change mitigation and green industry transformation. The study also contributes to the literature on measuring the output of eco-innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Urbaniec & Justyna Tomala & Sergio Martinez, 2021. "Measurements and Trends in Technological Eco-Innovation: Evidence from Environment-Related Patents," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:10:y:2021:i:7:p:68-:d:584083
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Vanessa da Cruz, 2022. "Cap-and-Innovate: Evidence of regulation-induced innovation in California," CER-ETH Economics working paper series 22/377, CER-ETH - Center of Economic Research (CER-ETH) at ETH Zurich.
    3. Ventsislava Nikolova-Minkova, 2023. "Bulgarian and Foreign Patent Activity in Bulgaria and Bulgarian Patent Activity Abroad by Technological Areas and Fields for the Period 2010-2021," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 5, pages 82-114.
    4. Dongsheng Yan & Pingxing Li, 2023. "Can Regional Integration Reduce Urban Carbon Emission? An Empirical Study Based on the Yangtze River Delta, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-25, January.
    5. Lasisi, Taiwo Temitope & Alola, Andrew Adewale & Muoneke, Obumneke Bob & Eluwole, Kayode Kolawole, 2022. "The moderating role of environmental-related innovation and technologies in growth-energy utilization nexus in highest-performing eco-innovation economies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    6. Zhang, Shaohui & Luo, Shunjun & Afshan, Sahar, 2022. "Role of climate technologies, financial development, and renewable energy in the facilitation of social, economic, and environmental goals," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 169-178.

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