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Labour-saving heuristics in green patents: A natural language processing analysis

Author

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  • Rughi, Tommaso
  • Staccioli, Jacopo
  • Virgillito, Maria Enrica

Abstract

This paper provides a direct understanding of the labour-saving threats embedded in decarbonisation pathways. It starts with a mapping of the technological innovations characterised by both climate change mitigation/adaptation (green) and labour-saving attributes. To accomplish this, we draw on the universe of patent grants in the USPTO since 1976 to 2021 reporting the Y02-Y04S tagging scheme and we identify those patents embedding an explicit labour-saving heuristic via a dependency parsing algorithm. We characterise their technological, sectoral and time evolution. Finally, after constructing an index of sectoral penetration of LS and non-LS green patents, we explore its correlation with employment share growth at the state level in the US. Our evidence shows that employment shares in sectors characterised by a higher exposure to LS (non-LS) technologies present an overall negative (positive) growth dynamics.

Suggested Citation

  • Rughi, Tommaso & Staccioli, Jacopo & Virgillito, Maria Enrica, 2025. "Labour-saving heuristics in green patents: A natural language processing analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:230:y:2025:i:c:s092180092400394x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2024.108497
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nelli, Linnea & Virgillito, Maria Enrica & Vivarelli, Marco, 2025. "A Twin Transition or a Policy Flagship? Emergent Constellations and Dominant Blocks in Green and Digital Technologies," IZA Discussion Papers 17779, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Climate change mitigation; Labour-saving technologies; Search heuristics; Natural language processing; Labour markets;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C38 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Classification Methdos; Cluster Analysis; Principal Components; Factor Analysis
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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