IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/endesu/v26y2024i1d10.1007_s10668-022-02839-w.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Unveiling evolution characteristics of inventive activity on climate change mitigation technologies in China

Author

Listed:
  • Shuning Liu

    (Shanghai University of Finance and Economics)

  • Min Wang

    (The University of Texas at San Antonio)

  • Qingtai Xiao

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Kunming University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

The abnormity of climate change poses environmental concerns and indirectly promotes the development of low-carbon economic growth pattern. Climate change mitigation technology innovations contribute significantly to achieve environmental goals in China, and thus, technological cooperation has become a strategic choice for the Chinese provinces to achieve technological breakthroughs. Based on 3, 280, 808 patents, this study uses social network analysis (SNA) method and similarity measurement to discuss the evolution process and structural features of the spatial correlation network to analyze the patent data from 1985 to 2020. The process for the research is as follows. First, a form solution of the correlation problem to calculate the minimum Euclidean distance is available in the field of social network. Second, the European distance is used to measure the similarity between provinces, and then, SNA is used to construct the spatial correlation network. Finally, the similarity of growth trend of provincial patent applications in different years from a nonlinear perspective is described, so as to calculate the potential provincial linkage strength. The results demonstrate that low-carbon technology innovation in China takes the form of a network structure. The network exhibits significant characteristics of regional agglomeration, and several central provinces exert the role of mediation and transmission, such as Tianjin, Hubei, and Henan. The study contributes by illustrating the current situation of green technology innovation and provides a critical theoretical foundation for the government when formulating future low-carbon economy development policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuning Liu & Min Wang & Qingtai Xiao, 2024. "Unveiling evolution characteristics of inventive activity on climate change mitigation technologies in China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 2535-2556, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s10668-022-02839-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02839-w
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10668-022-02839-w
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10668-022-02839-w?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. Calif, Rudy & Soubdhan, Ted, 2016. "On the use of the coefficient of variation to measure spatial and temporal correlation of global solar radiation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 192-199.
    2. Chen, Y. & He, M. & Rudkin, S., 2017. "Understanding Chinese provincial real estate investment: A Global VAR perspective," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 248-260.
    3. Sinigaglia, Tiago & Eduardo Santos Martins, Mario & Cezar Mairesse Siluk, Julio, 2022. "Technological evolution of internal combustion engine vehicle: A patent data analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PA).
    4. Mostafaeipour, Ali & Bidokhti, Abbas & Fakhrzad, Mohammad-Bagher & Sadegheih, Ahmad & Zare Mehrjerdi, Yahia, 2022. "A new model for the use of renewable electricity to reduce carbon dioxide emissions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PA).
    5. Li, Fangye & Liu, Weiwei & Bi, Kexin, 2021. "Exploring and visualizing spatial-temporal evolution of patent collaboration networks: A case of China's intelligent manufacturing equipment industry," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    6. Liu, S. & Xiao, Q., 2021. "An empirical analysis on spatial correlation investigation of industrial carbon emissions using SNA-ICE model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    7. Linares, Ian Marques Porto & De Paulo, Alex Fabianne & Porto, Geciane Silveira, 2019. "Patent-based network analysis to understand technological innovation pathways and trends," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    8. Emilio Abad-Segura & Ana Batlles-delaFuente & Mariana-Daniela González-Zamar & Luis Jesús Belmonte-Ureña, 2021. "Implications for Sustainability of the Joint Application of Bioeconomy and Circular Economy: A Worldwide Trend Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-24, June.
    9. Bekkers, Rudi & Tur, Elena M. & Henkel, Joachim & van der Vorst, Tommy & Driesse, Menno & Contreras, Jorge L., 2022. "Overcoming inefficiencies in patent licensing: A method to assess patent essentiality for technical standards," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(10).
    10. Lin, Boqiang & Kuang, Yunming, 2020. "Natural gas subsidies in the industrial sector in China: National and regional perspectives," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    11. Anita Engels, 2018. "Understanding how China is championing climate change mitigation," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 4(1), pages 1-6, December.
    12. Hsu, David H. & Hsu, Po-Hsuan & Zhao, Qifeng, 2021. "Rich on paper? Chinese firms’ academic publications, patents, and market value," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(9).
    13. Yan, Zheming & Du, Keru & Yang, Zhiming & Deng, Min, 2017. "Convergence or divergence? Understanding the global development trend of low-carbon technologies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 499-509.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Willoughby, Kelvin W. & Mullina, Nadezhda, 2021. "Reverse innovation, international patenting and economic inertia: Constraints to appropriating the benefits of technological innovation," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    2. Ming, Chenxu & Yu, Xiang & Zhang, Ben, 2024. "Assessing the infringement risk of patent portfolios using network analysis and IF-TOPSIS: A case of standard-essential patent portfolios in the ICT industry," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Dongqing Han & Dayong Zhang & Peng Yue & Zhengxu Cao, 2024. "Toward Sustainable Development: Can Digital Transformation of Industrial Enterprise Drive Carbon Reduction?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-18, November.
    4. Mustafa ŞİT, 2019. "The Determinants of Foreign Direct Investments in Real Estate: Turkey Case," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 5(3), pages 789-795, 03-2019.
    5. Liu, Weiwei & Song, Yifan & Bi, Kexin, 2021. "Exploring the patent collaboration network of China's wind energy industry: A study based on patent data from CNIPA," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    6. Fan, Lurong & Xu, Jiuping, 2020. "Authority–enterprise equilibrium based mixed subsidy mechanism for carbon reduction and energy utilization in the coalbed methane industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    7. Shang, Hua & Jiang, Li & Di, Yuhang, 2024. "Spatial connection strength and endogenous and exogenous interactive driving factors of carbon efficiency in China's metropolitan areas with higher energy consumption," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    8. Ceccagnoli, Marco & Lee, You-Na & Walsh, John P., 2024. "Reaching beyond low-hanging fruit: Basic research and innovativeness," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(1).
    9. Hongli Liu & Xiaoyu Yan & Jinhua Cheng & Jun Zhang & Yan Bu, 2021. "Driving Factors for the Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity in Technical Efficiency of China’s New Energy Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-21, July.
    10. Gao, Chunjiao & Chen, Hongxi, 2023. "Electricity from renewable energy resources: Sustainable energy transition and emissions for developed economies," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    11. Kaixuan Di & Zuankuo Liu & Shanglei Chai & Kanyong Li & Yu Li, 2024. "Spatial correlation network structure of green innovation efficiency and its driving factors in the Bohai Rim region," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(11), pages 27227-27247, November.
    12. Ana Batlles-delaFuente & Luis Jesús Belmonte-Ureña & José Antonio Plaza-Úbeda & Emilio Abad-Segura, 2021. "Sustainable Business Model in the Product-Service System: Analysis of Global Research and Associated EU Legislation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-33, September.
    13. Klingler-Vidra, Robyn & Tran, Ba Linh & Chalmers, Adam William, 2021. "Transnational experience and high-performing entrepreneurs in emerging economies: Evidence from Vietnam," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    14. Zhou, Xiaoxiao & Pan, Zixuan & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Song, Malin, 2020. "Directed technological progress driven by diversified industrial structural change," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 112-129.
    15. Kuang, Yunming & Lin, Boqiang, 2021. "Performance of tiered pricing policy for residential natural gas in China: Does the income effect matter?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    16. Joanicjusz Nazarko & Ewa Chodakowska & Łukasz Nazarko, 2022. "Evaluating the Transition of the European Union Member States towards a Circular Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-24, May.
    17. Choi, Hyunhong & Woo, JongRoul, 2022. "Investigating emerging hydrogen technology topics and comparing national level technological focus: Patent analysis using a structural topic model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    18. Yong-Jae Lee & Young Jae Han & Sang-Soo Kim & Chulung Lee, 2022. "Patent Data Analytics for Technology Forecasting of the Railway Main Transformer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-25, December.
    19. Xu, Shang & Zhang, Jun, 2023. "The welfare impacts of removing coal subsidies in rural China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    20. Naz, Farah & Tanveer, Arifa & Karim, Sitara & Dowling, Michael, 2024. "The decoupling dilemma: Examining economic growth and carbon emissions in emerging economic blocs," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).

    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:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s10668-022-02839-w. 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.