Global Challenges Report

The importance of the effective dissemination and use of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) is becoming more apparent in light of the rising profile of climate change mitigation in global political discourse and expectations that global energy consumption will continue to dramatically increase in the coming decades. ESTs are methods and sources for producing energy that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases during the production or provision of energy. This report considers the role of intellectual property rights (IPR) in fostering successful EST transfer, along with the utilisation and adaptation of ESTs by entities in developing countries. It also reviews the importance of other economic, political, and social factors in this process. The report aims to provide a foundation for further research on IPR and EST transfer, in order to contribute to the development of evidencebased IP and other policies for EST transfer. The author reviews the relevant literature and available data, concluding that much of the existing evidence suggests that IPR generally contribute to, rather than impede, EST transfer. The author highlights the importance of context, including geographic location and type of technology, in determining the relationship between IPR and EST transfer, and underscores the interplay between IPR and other factors and policies in fostering EST transfer, use, and adaptation by entities in developing countries. On the basis of available studies and other evidence, the author identifies: first, what is known about the role that IPR, together with other factors, play in promoting EST transfer; second, priority areas for further research and analysis; and, third, ‘wild cards’ that could influence policy discussions and action to address EST transfer and climate change. These “known-knowns,” “known-unknowns,” and “unknown-unknowns” are elaborated in some detail at the end of the report.