TY - JOUR
T1 - International technology innovation to accelerate energy transitions
T2 - The case of the international energy agency technology collaboration programmes
AU - Caiafa, Clara
AU - Hattori, Takashi
AU - Nam, Hoseok
AU - de Coninck, Heleen C.
PY - 2023/9
Y1 - 2023/9
N2 - International cooperation in technology innovation can help accelerate energy transitions globally. If they are to promote global systemic change, partnerships need to move beyond nurturing niches and increase their geographical reach. Moving beyond niches brings challenges for such international partnerships traditionally focused on technological-hardware innovation in advanced countries. Based on an analytical framework rooted in innovation and transition studies, this paper explores how international technology innovation partnerships can help accelerate transitions globally by conducting a unique empirical study of the almost five decades-old IEA Technology Collaboration Programmes (TCPs). Results suggest that well-established networks for knowledge diffusion, growing compatibility of activities with climate change mitigation goals, and increased global participation currently enable TCPs to contribute to the energy transition. Improving outreach to non-scientific audiences, knowledge diffusion beyond technical knowledge, and cross-sectoral coordination, as well as ensuring equal-footing participation of developing countries, remain challenges to be addressed, especially as the transition accelerates.
AB - International cooperation in technology innovation can help accelerate energy transitions globally. If they are to promote global systemic change, partnerships need to move beyond nurturing niches and increase their geographical reach. Moving beyond niches brings challenges for such international partnerships traditionally focused on technological-hardware innovation in advanced countries. Based on an analytical framework rooted in innovation and transition studies, this paper explores how international technology innovation partnerships can help accelerate transitions globally by conducting a unique empirical study of the almost five decades-old IEA Technology Collaboration Programmes (TCPs). Results suggest that well-established networks for knowledge diffusion, growing compatibility of activities with climate change mitigation goals, and increased global participation currently enable TCPs to contribute to the energy transition. Improving outreach to non-scientific audiences, knowledge diffusion beyond technical knowledge, and cross-sectoral coordination, as well as ensuring equal-footing participation of developing countries, remain challenges to be addressed, especially as the transition accelerates.
KW - Acceleration
KW - Climate change
KW - Energy transition
KW - International cooperation
KW - Technology innovation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85170078034&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.eist.2023.100766
DO - 10.1016/j.eist.2023.100766
M3 - Article
SN - 2210-4224
VL - 48
JO - Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
JF - Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
M1 - 100766
ER -