Innovations for ecologically sustainable development
The project analysed concepts and incentive schemes for sustainable technology development in three emerging countries.
Project Lead:
Tilman Altenburg
Project Team:
Shikha Bhasin
Anna Pegels
Andreas Stamm
Georgeta Auktor
Doris Fischer, University of Würzburg
Time frame:
2010 - 2012
/
completed
Project description
If global warming is to stay below the internationally recognised ceiling of 2°C, the world’s economies have to decarbonise at unprecedented pace. Decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions requires technology changes and technological leapfrogging in virtually all sectors of the economy. New technologies must be invented; existing technologies must be deployed and disseminated. This requires targeted incentives.
The cases of China, India and South Africa were selected for their relevance for global greenhouse gas emissions in absolute or relative terms. The framework conditions for the decarbonisation of these economies differ widely from those in developed countries: in view of widespread poverty and income inequalities, high and sustained economic growth is a political imperative. Growth rates are often fuelled by abundant and cheap domestic coal reserves. Therefore, the dual challenge of economic growth and decarbonisation is particularly severe.
Publications
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Pitfalls of policy implementation: the case of the South African feed-in tariff
Pegels, Anna (2011)
in: James Haselip et al. (eds.), Diffusion of renewable energy technologies: case studies of enabling frameworks in developing countries (UNEP Risoe Centre Technology Transfer Perspectives Series), 101-110 -
After Cancún, India’s new role as an international deal maker
Bhasin, Shikha / Tobias Engelmeier / Felix Schmidt (2011)
Berlin : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Referat Asien und Pazifik -
Industrial policy in developing countries: overview and lessons from seven country cases
Altenburg, Tilman (2011)
Discussion Paper 4/2011 -
Cost and optimal feed-in tariff for small scale photovoltaic systems in China
Rigter, Jasper / Georgeta Vidican (2010)
in: Energy Policy 38 (11), 6989-7000 -
Renewable energy in South-Africa: potentials, barriers and options for support
Pegels, Anna (2010)
in: Energy Policy 38 (9), 4945-4954 -
Comparing transitions: insights from the economic transition processes in former socialist countries for sustainability transitions
Fischer, Doris (2010)
in: Osteuropa-Wirtschaft 55 (4), 289-310 -
The DESERTEC initiative: powering the development perspectives of Southern Mediterranean countries?
Erdle, Steffen (2010)
Discussion Paper 12/2010 -
Biodiesel policies for India: achieving optimal socio-economic and environmental impact
Altenburg, Tilman (2009)
in : P.B. Sharma / Naveen Kumar (eds.), New frontiers in biofuels, Chennai: Scitech Publ., 523-533 -
The role of universities in innovation and sustainable development
Vidican, Georgeta (2009)
in: Carlos A. Brebbia et al. (eds.), Sustainable development and planning IV (I), 131-140 -
Measuring innovation using bibliometric techniques: the case of solar photovoltaic industry
Vidican, Georgeta et al. (2009)
Composite Information Systems Laboratory (CISL), Sloan School of Management (Working Paper 5/2009) -
Sustainability-oriented innovation systems: towards decoupling economic growth from environmental pressures?
Stamm, Andreas / Eva Dantas / Doris Fischer / Sunayana Ganguly / Britta Rennkamp (2009)
Discussion Paper 20/2009 -
Prospects for renewable energy in South Africa: mobilizing the private sector
Pegels, Anna (2009)
Discussion Paper 23/2009 -
Building inclusive innovation systems in developing countries: challenges for IS research
Altenburg, Tilman (2009)
in: Bengt-Åke Lundvall / K.J. Joseph / Christina Chaminade: Handbook of innovation systems and developing countries, Cheltenham, UK: Elgar, 33-56 -
Breakthrough? China's and India's transition from production to innovation
Altenburg, Tilman / Andreas Stamm / Hubert Schmitz (2008)
in: World Development 36 (2), 325-344 -
New global players in innovation? China's and India's technological catch-up and the low carbon economy
Altenburg, Tilman (2008)
in: Hubert Schmitz / Dirk Messner (eds), Poor and powerful: the rise of China and India and its implications for Europe, Bonn: German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) (DIE Discussion Paper 13/2008), 26-39