EPO publishes new policy brief on climate technologies and enhances cooperation with IRENA

3 July 2017

In
co-operation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the EPO has
today published a new policy brief on the latest trends in climate change
mitigation technologies (CCMTs). The study provides evidence on the
dissemination of CCMTs, with a focus on renewable energy technologies and
reveals that inventive activity in CCMTs has been increasing globally over the
past decade.

The policy
brief has been made available to encourage an informed debate on climate change
mitigation technologies, with findings based on the most recent data sources
available. The majority of the statistics draw upon patent information which is
in the public domain, made freely accessible by the EPO and represents a solid
and powerful indicator of technological and economic developments in CCMTs.

The brief highlights
six key messages for decision-makers:

• The number
  and commercial value of CCMT inventions are growing globally
• Most
  inventions are made in the energy sector, with renewables driving the growth
• The
  integration of ICTs into renewable energy technologies remains a key challenge
• Climate
  policy is a main driver of innovation in CCMTs
• Inventive activity
  in CCMTs is mainly concentrated in a few regions of the world but diversity of
  inventor countries is growing
• Patents
  support the deployment of CCMTs

The publication of the policy brief follows
the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the EPO and IRENA by the
EPO President and by IRENA Director General Adnan Z. Amin on 23 April with the
aim of enhancing the co-operation between the two bodies Under the three year
agreement, the EPO and IRENA will work together to develop further evidence-based
research on the innovation and dissemination of renewable energy technologies.

“Supported
by patents, innovation in the renewable energy technologies sector has
contributed to dramatic cost reductions and rapid technology deployment,” said
EPO President Benoît Battistelli. “With this policy brief and through our cooperation
with IRENA, the EPO promotes the use of patent information
to enhance structural transparency regarding climate change mitigation
technologies.”

IRENA
Director General Adnan Z. Amin said, “innovation in renewable energy is playing
a critical role in driving the energy transition. Tracking innovation with
comprehensive and reliable patent information is essential for analysing trends
and identifying priority areas of action for innovation. IRENA’s cooperation
with EPO contributes to a better understanding of renewable energy market needs
and where innovative technologies can potentially be scaled-up to accelerate
the global energy transition.”