IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/climat/v131y2015i3p387-399.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Lessons from China: building technological capabilities for low carbon technology transfer and development

Author

Listed:
  • Jim Watson
  • Rob Byrne
  • David Ockwell
  • Michele Stua

Abstract

Using case study analysis across three sectors in China (cement, electric vehicles and coal fired electricity generation) and theoretical insights from the innovation studies literature, this paper analyses the development of China’s technological capabilities in low carbon technologies and the ways in which public policies have contributed to developing these capabilities. It finds that China has developed significant capabilities via a strategic approach. The paper’s findings have significant implications for international policies designed to support low carbon technology transfer to developing countries and broader processes of low carbon technological change and development. Such policies should go beyond the traditional focus on the transfer of technology hardware to focus on the development of low carbon technological capabilities in developing country firms. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Jim Watson & Rob Byrne & David Ockwell & Michele Stua, 2015. "Lessons from China: building technological capabilities for low carbon technology transfer and development," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 131(3), pages 387-399, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:131:y:2015:i:3:p:387-399
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-014-1124-1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1007/s10584-014-1124-1
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10584-014-1124-1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lall, Sanjaya, 1992. "Technological capabilities and industrialization," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 165-186, February.
    2. Schroeder, Miriam, 2009. "Utilizing the clean development mechanism for the deployment of renewable energies in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(2), pages 237-242, February.
    3. Stua, Michele, 2013. "Evidence of the clean development mechanism impact on the Chinese electric power system's low-carbon transition," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 1309-1319.
    4. Paulo N. Figueiredo, 2001. "Technological Learning and Competitive Performance," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2373.
    5. Birner, Sabrina & Martinot, Eric, 2005. "Promoting energy-efficient products: GEF experience and lessons for market transformation in developing countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(14), pages 1765-1779, September.
    6. Liu, Hengwei & Ni, Weidou & Li, Zheng & Ma, Linwei, 2008. "Strategic thinking on IGCC development in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 1-11, January.
    7. Qishe Yan & Chang-Bo Zhou & Peng Qu & Rui-qin Zhang, 2009. "The promotion of clean development mechanism to cement industry capturing waste heat for power generation in China," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 14(8), pages 793-804, December.
    8. Seres, Stephen & Haites, Erik & Murphy, Kevin, 2009. "Analysis of technology transfer in CDM projects: An update," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(11), pages 4919-4926, November.
    9. Tan, Xiaomei, 2010. "Clean technology R&D and innovation in emerging countries--Experience from China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(6), pages 2916-2926, June.
    10. Norlela Ariffin, 2010. "Internationalisation of technological innovative capabilities: levels, types and speed (learning rates) in the electronics industry in Malaysia," International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 3(4), pages 347-391.
    11. Andrews-Speed, Philip, 2009. "China's ongoing energy efficiency drive: Origins, progress and prospects," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 1331-1344, April.
    12. Staffan Jacobsson & Anna Bergek, 2004. "Transforming the energy sector: the evolution of technological systems in renewable energy technology," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 13(5), pages 815-849, October.
    13. Chen, Wenying & Xu, Ruina, 2010. "Clean coal technology development in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 2123-2130, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Xun Liu & Xiaoliang Yu & Simon Gao, 2019. "A quantitative study of financing efficiency of low‐carbon companies: A three‐stage data envelopment analysis," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(5), pages 858-871, July.
    2. David Ockwell & Robert Byrne & Joanes Atela & Victoria Chengo & Elsie Onsongo & Jacob Fodio Todd & Victoria Kasprowicz & Adrian Ely, 2021. "Transforming Access to Clean Energy Technologies in the Global South: Learning from Lighting Africa in Kenya," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Ferreira, João J.M. & Fernandes, Cristina I. & Ferreira, Fernando A.F., 2020. "Technology transfer, climate change mitigation, and environmental patent impact on sustainability and economic growth: A comparison of European countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    4. Geng, Shuai & Lin, Lijun, 2018. "The extensible evaluation framework of urban green house gas emission reduction responsibility: A case of Shandong province in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 171-184.
    5. Hayashi, Daisuke, 2018. "Knowledge flow in low-carbon technology transfer: A case of India's wind power industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 104-116.
    6. Sabrina Auci & Nicolò Barbieri & Manuela Coromaldi & Donatella Vignani, 2021. "Innovation for climate change adaptation and technical efficiency: an empirical analysis in the European agricultural sector," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 38(2), pages 597-623, July.
    7. Peter Drahos & Christian Downie, 2017. "Regulatory Unilateralism: Arguments for Going It Alone on Climate Change," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 8(1), pages 32-40, February.
    8. Kim, Jong-Seok & Kim, Byung-Keun, 2022. "Examining different technology transfer capabilities and their counterpart works from two different positions," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    9. Weko, Silvia & Goldthau, Andreas, 2022. "Bridging the low-carbon technology gap? Assessing energy initiatives for the Global South," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    10. Iis Alviya & Tapan Sarker & Harsha Sarvaiya & Md Sayed Iftekhar, 2021. "Role of the Land-Based Private Sector in Low-Emission Development: An Indonesian Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-22, December.
    11. Min Thura Mon & Roengchai Tansuchat & Woraphon Yamaka, 2024. "CCUS Technology and Carbon Emissions: Evidence from the United States," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-18, April.
    12. 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.
    13. Abid, Nabila & Ahmad, Fayyaz & Aftab, Junaid & Razzaq, Asif, 2023. "A blessing or a burden? Assessing the impact of Climate Change Mitigation efforts in Europe using Quantile Regression Models," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    14. Chen, Yunnan & Landry, David, 2018. "Capturing the rains: Comparing Chinese and World Bank hydropower projects in Cameroon and pathways for South-South and North South technology transfer," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 561-571.
    15. Li, Wei & Sun, Wen & Li, Guomin & Cui, Pengfei & Wu, Wen & Jin, Baihui, 2017. "Temporal and spatial heterogeneity of carbon intensity in China's construction industry," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 162-173.
    16. Su, Hsin-Ning & Moaniba, Igam M., 2017. "Does innovation respond to climate change? Empirical evidence from patents and greenhouse gas emissions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 49-62.
    17. Cui, Jingbo & Liu, Xi & Sun, Yongping & Yu, Haishan, 2020. "Can CDM projects trigger host countries’ innovation in renewable energy? Evidence of firm-level dataset from China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Figueiredo, Paulo N. & Larsen, Henrik & Hansen, Ulrich E., 2020. "The role of interactive learning in innovation capability building in multinational subsidiaries: A micro-level study of biotechnology in Brazil," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(6).
    2. Hansen, Ulrich Elmer & Lema, Rasmus, 2019. "The co-evolution of learning mechanisms and technological capabilities: Lessons from energy technologies in emerging economies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 241-257.
    3. Peerally, Jahan Ara & Santiago, Fernando & De Fuentes, Claudia & Moghavvemi, Sedigheh, 2022. "Towards a firm-level technological capability framework to endorse and actualize the Fourth Industrial Revolution in developing countries," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(10).
    4. Figueiredo, Paulo N. & Cabral, Bernardo P. & Silva, Felipe Q., 2021. "Intricacies of firm-level innovation performance: An empirical analysis of latecomer process industries," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    5. Hoffmann, Bettina Susanne & Szklo, Alexandre, 2011. "Integrated gasification combined cycle and carbon capture: A risky option to mitigate CO2 emissions of coal-fired power plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(11), pages 3917-3929.
    6. Daniela Marconi & Francesca Sanna-Randaccio, 2012. "The clean development mechanism and technology transfer to China," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 129, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    7. Andersson, Magnus & Ljunggren Söderman, Maria & Sandén, Björn A., 2019. "Challenges of recycling multiple scarce metals: The case of Swedish ELV and WEEE recycling," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1-1.
    8. Fagerberg, Jan & Srholec, Martin & Verspagen, Bart, 2010. "Innovation and Economic Development," Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, in: Bronwyn H. Hall & Nathan Rosenberg (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, edition 1, volume 2, chapter 0, pages 833-872, Elsevier.
    9. Yao, Lixia & Chang, Youngho, 2014. "Energy security in China: A quantitative analysis and policy implications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 595-604.
    10. Rizzi, Francesco & van Eck, Nees Jan & Frey, Marco, 2014. "The production of scientific knowledge on renewable energies: Worldwide trends, dynamics and challenges and implications for management," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 657-671.
    11. Paulo N. Figueiredo & Janaina Piana, 2021. "Technological learning strategies and technology upgrading intensity in the mining industry: evidence from Brazil," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 629-659, June.
    12. Dantas, Eva & Bell, Martin, 2011. "The Co-Evolution of Firm-Centered Knowledge Networks and Capabilities in Late Industrializing Countries: The Case of Petrobras in the Offshore Oil Innovation System in Brazil," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(9), pages 1570-1591, September.
    13. Andrea Morrison & Carlo Pietrobelli & Roberta Rabellotti, 2008. "Global Value Chains and Technological Capabilities: A Framework to Study Learning and Innovation in Developing Countries," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(1), pages 39-58.
    14. Molina-Domene, María A. & Pietrobelli, Carlo, 2012. "Drivers of technological capabilities in developing countries: An econometric analysis of Argentina, Brazil and Chile," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 23(4), pages 504-515.
    15. Diego Queiroz Machado & Fátima Regina Ney Matos & Rafael Fernandes Mesquita, 2022. "Relations between innovation management and organisational sustainability: a case study in a Brazilian higher education institution," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(9), pages 11127-11152, September.
    16. Kang, Jin-Su & Kholod, Tetyana & Downing, Stephen, 2015. "Analysis of Russia's biofuel knowledge base: A comparison with Germany and China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 182-193.
    17. Elvis Korku Avenyo & Fiona Tregenna & Erika Kraemer-Mbula, 2021. "Do Productive Capabilities Affect Export Performance? Evidence from African Firms," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(2), pages 304-329, April.
    18. Figueiredo, Paulo N. & Piana, Janaina, 2018. "Innovative capability building and learning linkages in knowledge-intensive service SMEs in Brazil's mining industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 21-33.
    19. Beibei Shi & Lei Wu & Rong Kang, 2021. "Clean Development, Energy Substitution, and Carbon Emissions: Evidence from Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Project Implementation in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-18, January.
    20. Stua, Michele, 2013. "Evidence of the clean development mechanism impact on the Chinese electric power system's low-carbon transition," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 1309-1319.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:131:y:2015:i:3:p:387-399. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.