Challenges of low carbon technology diffusion: insights from shifts in China's photovoltaic industry development

Technological Forecasting and Social Change

2016

This paper examines the organizational arrangements for technology supply in solar photovoltaic projects in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). It shows that while lower middle-income countries typically import solar PV equipment into CDM projects, China, India and Thailand have begun to use new organizational arrangements for technology transfer which reflect the overall industry maturity in the solar PV sectors in these countries. This has great potential for long-term climate change mitigation efforts. However, the initiation of these new organizational arrangements often preceded the supply of technology into CDM projects. This raises important questions about the role of CDM in spearheading the development of technological capabilities required for sustainable development. The paper uses these findings to add to the literature about technology in CDM and to the wider policy debates over the future of the global climate regime. Technology transfer does not become less important as developing countries' capabilities mature, but the nature of technology transfer changes over time. This suggests a need to differentiate between countries at different levels of development. Lower middle-income countries may have greater needs for building technological capabilities whereas cooperative activities may be suitable for upper middle-income countries that already have capabilities to address climate change.

Section: Chinamentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-carbon innovation and technology transfer in latecomer countries: Insights from solar PV in the clean development mechanism

Technological Forecasting and Social Change

2016

“…This has been closely accompanied and followed by producer power, which has put incumbents under pressure and driven down costs in external markets. China has also caused major disruption and driven down costs in the solar panel industry, but the dynamics are different (Fischer 2012): Here, Chinese firms have managed to build up producer power and take large market shares in Europe without using solar energy as a key means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions domestically (see Figure 1). Similar to China, the EU and its 27 member countries are major emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG).…”

Section: Europe China and Low-carbon Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

China-Europe Relations in the Mitigation of Climate Change: A Conceptual Framework

Berger

Fischer²,

Journal of Current Chinese Affairs

et al. 2013

Self Cite

Despite the large-scale investments of both China and the EU in climate-change mitigation and renewable-energy promotion, the prevailing view on China–EU relations is one of conflict rather than cooperation. In order to evaluate the prospects of cooperation between China and the EU in these policy fields, empirical research has to go beyond simplistic narratives. This paper suggests a conceptual apparatus that will help researchers better understand the complexities of the real world. The relevant actors operate at different levels and in the public and private sectors. The main message of the paper is that combining the multilevel governance and value-chain approaches helps clarify the multiple relationships between these actors.

“…Localised innovation has been a very strong contributor to technological capabilities in this sector in India and China (Fu and Zhang, 2011). Most firms are predominantly export oriented, have played an important role in global supply chains driving down costs and contributed to mitigation at a global level (Fischer, 2012).…”

Section: The Solar Pv Sectormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…China's PV industry has moved from component supply to production of complete panels and has become the world's largest producer of solar PV cells (Liu et al, 2009;Fischer, 2012;Kirkegaard et al, 2010). With a 98% export share, foreign markets drive Chinese companies and the success is one of export-oriented technological upgrading (Fu and Zhang, 2011).…”

Section: The Solar Pv Sectormentioning

confidence: 99%

Technology Transfer? The Rise of China and India in Green Technology Sectors

2012

SSRN Journal

International technology transfer is central to the debate about how to curb the carbon emissions from rapid economic growth in China and India. But given China and India's great progress in building innovation capabilities and green industries, how relevant is technology transfer for these countries? This paper seeks insights from three green technology sectors in both countries: wind power, solar energy and electric and hybrid vehicles. We find that conventional technology transfer mechanisms such as foreign direct investments and licensing were important for industry formation and take-off. However, as these sectors are catching up, new 'unconventional transfer mechanisms' such as R&D partnerships and acquisition of foreign firms have become increasingly important. We argue that there is limited practical and analytical mileage left in the conventional approach to technology transfer in these sectors in China and India. We argue that the emphasis should shift from transfer of mitigation technology to international collaboration and local innovation.