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The role of natural resources in accelerating net-zero transitions: Insights from EV lithium-ion battery Technological Innovation System in China

Author

Listed:
  • Huiwen Gong

    (Department of Environmental Social Science, Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland)

  • Allan Dahl Andersen

    (Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture (TIK), University of Oslo, Norway)

Abstract

As sustainability transitions in some sectors enter an acceleration phase, widespread diffusion of low-carbon technologies seem inevitable. While the availability of critical natural resources will inevitably influence the pace and direction of sustainability transitions, there is as yet little exploration on the role of natural resources in such upscaling and diffusion processes in transition studies. Drawing on the literature on technological innovation systems (TIS), this paper develops an analytical approach to highlight the natural resource dimension in a TIS value chain and link it to TIS dynamics (functional and structural) in the face of inter-sectoral imbalances caused by natural resource scarcity in accelerating transition processes. Empirically we study China's EV battery TIS which shows that a shortage of critical natural resource (especially lithium) has influenced the TIS functional and structural dynamics both within and across sectors and can severely impact transition processes. Overall, we plea for more research on natural resources in transition studies as many low-carbon technologies enter an upscaling and diffusion phase.

Suggested Citation

  • Huiwen Gong & Allan Dahl Andersen, 2022. "The role of natural resources in accelerating net-zero transitions: Insights from EV lithium-ion battery Technological Innovation System in China," Working Papers on Innovation Studies 20221001, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo.
    • Handle: RePEc:tik:inowpp:20221001
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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