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Technology transfer and cooperation for low carbon energy technology: Analysing 30 years of scholarship and proposing a research agenda

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  • Kirchherr, Julian
  • Urban, Frauke

Abstract

While North-South technology transfer and cooperation (NSTT) for low carbon energy technology has been implemented for decades, South-South technology transfer and cooperation (SSTT) and South-North technology transfer and cooperation (SNTT) have only recently emerged. Consequently, the body of literature on NSTT is mature, while the body on SSTT and SNTT is still in its infancy. This paper provides a meta-synthesis of the scholarly writings on NSTT, SSTT and SNTT from the past 30 years. We specifically discuss core drivers and inhibitors of technology transfer and cooperation, outcomes as well as outcome determinants. We find policies and practices for low carbon development to be the main driver, both pushed by governments and international aid programs, as well as by firms that are interested in expanding overseas. Inhibitors include a non-existent market in the host countries and the abundance of cheap fossil fuel resources that price out renewables. The literature is divided on whether intellectual property rights are inhibitors or drivers of technology transfer to the Global South. Outcomes of technology transfer and cooperation are mixed with approximately one-third of instances reported as successful technology transfer and another one-third reported as failures. Core key success factors were identified as suitable government policies as well as adequate capacities in the recipient country. This analysis is then followed by an introduction of the papers of the special issue 'South-South Technology Transfer and Cooperation for Low Carbon Energy Technologies’. Finally, a research agenda for future work on NSTT, SSTT and SNTT is proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Kirchherr, Julian & Urban, Frauke, 2018. "Technology transfer and cooperation for low carbon energy technology: Analysing 30 years of scholarship and proposing a research agenda," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 600-609.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:119:y:2018:i:c:p:600-609
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.05.001
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    Cited by:

    1. Pei-Hsuan Tsai & Chih-Jou Chen & Ho-Chin Yang, 2021. "Using Porter’s Diamond Model to Assess the Competitiveness of Taiwan’s Solar Photovoltaic Industry," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440209, January.
    2. Feng, Zhijun & Cai, Hechang & Chen, Zinan & Zhou, Wen, 2022. "Influence of an interurban innovation network on the innovation capacity of China: A multiplex network perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    3. Tadas RadaviÄ ius & Manuela TvaronaviÄ ienÄ— & Manuela TvaronaviÄ ienÄ—, 2022. "Digitalisation, knowledge management and technology transfer impact on organisations' circularity capabilities," Insights into Regional Development, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 4(3), pages 76-95, September.
    4. Nathalia Suchek & Cristina I. Fernandes & Sascha Kraus & Matthias Filser & Helena Sjögrén, 2021. "Innovation and the circular economy: A systematic literature review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(8), pages 3686-3702, December.
    5. Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad & Rasoulinezhad, Ehsan & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Vinh Vo, Xuan, 2021. "How energy transition and power consumption are related in Asian economies with different income levels?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    6. Aliénor Cameron & Marc Baudry, 2022. "The case for a Carbon Border Adjustment: Where do economists stand?," Policy Papers 2022.01, FAERE - French Association of Environmental and Resource Economists.
    7. Phemelo Tamasiga & Taghi Miri & Helen Onyeaka & Abarasi Hart, 2022. "Food Waste and Circular Economy: Challenges and Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-30, August.
    8. Pingkuo, Liu & Huan, Peng, 2022. "What drives the green and low-carbon energy transition in China?: An empirical analysis based on a novel framework," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    9. Aliénor Cameron & Marc Baudry, 2023. "The case for carbon leakage and border adjustments: where do economists stand?," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 25(3), pages 435-469, July.
    10. Fanglin Li & Yingjie Zhang, 2024. "Simulation of Development Strategies and Evaluation of Low-Carbon Development Level in Jiangsu Province under Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-25, February.
    11. Kostas Fragkiadakis & Panagiotis Fragkos & Leonidas Paroussos, 2020. "Low-Carbon R&D Can Boost EU Growth and Competitiveness," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-29, October.
    12. Xiaolan Fu & Peter J. Buckley & Diego Sanchez-Ancochea & Ines Hassan, 2022. "The world has a unique opportunity: Accelerating technology transfer and vaccine production through partnerships," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(3), pages 406-415, September.
    13. Weko, Silvia & Goldthau, Andreas, 2022. "Bridging the low-carbon technology gap? Assessing energy initiatives for the Global South," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    14. Saalfield, Jon, 2022. "Potential trade implications of Latin America and the Caribbean’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement," Comercio Internacional 48555, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    15. Brandt, Urs Steiner & Svendsen, Gert Tinggaard, 2022. "Is the annual UNFCCC COP the only game in town?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    16. Yongmin Shang & Guoqing Lyu & Zefeng Mi, 2022. "Green Technology Transfer, Environmental Regulation, and Regional Green Development Chasm: Based on the Empirical Evidence from Yangtze River Delta," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-22, October.
    17. Lema, Rasmus & Bhamidipati, Padmasai Lakshmi & Gregersen, Cecilia & Hansen, Ulrich Elmer & Kirchherr, Julian, 2021. "China’s investments in renewable energy in Africa: Creating co-benefits or just cashing-in?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).

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