Energy technology patents–CO2 emissions nexus: An empirical analysis from China

• Published in: Energy policy 2012-03, Vol.42, p.248-260
• Main Authors: Wang, Zhaohua, Yang, Zhongmin, Zhang, Yixiang, Yin, Jianhua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution caused by fuel industries; Applied sciences; carbon; carbon dioxide; CO2 emissions; Correlation analysis; Dynamic panel data approach; Emissions control; Energy; Energy economics; Energy policy; Energy technology patents; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; fossil fuels; General, economic and professional studies; General. Regulations. Norms. Economy; greenhouse gas emissions; gross domestic product; issues and policy; Metering. Control; Methodology. Modelling; Studies; Technological change
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2011.11.082

Energy technology innovation plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions. This paper investigates whether there is relationship between energy technology patents and CO2 emissions of 30 provinces in mainland China during 1997–2008. Gross domestic product (GDP) is included in the study due to its impact on CO2 emissions and energy technology innovation, thus avoiding the problem of omitted variable bias. Furthermore, we investigate three cross-regional groups, namely eastern, central and western China. The results show that domestic patents for fossil-fueled technologies have no significant effect on CO2 emissions reduction; however, domestic patents for carbon-free energy technologies appear to play an important role in reducing CO2 emissions, which is significant in eastern China, but is not significant in central, western and national level of China. The results of this study enrich energy technology innovation theories and provide some implications for energy technology policy making. ► We studied the causality between energy technology patents and CO2 emissions using dynamic panel data approach. ► There is a long-run equilibrium relationship among energy technology patents, CO2 emissions and GDP. ► Domestic patents for fossil-fueled technologies have no significant effect on CO2 emissions reduction. ► Domestic patents for carbon-free energy technologies appear to play an important role in reducing CO2 emissions. ► This study provides some references for the future energy technology policy making.