‘Worrying’ slowdown in green energy patenting: WIPO
The growth rate of patenting activity in the green energy field is falling, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) innovation index, published today.
The theme of the 2018 edition is “energising the world with innovation”. It looks at the need for more innovative work in climate-friendly green technology amid rising energy demands worldwide.
By 2040, the world will require up to 30% more energy than it needs today, according to projections, while current approaches to expanding the energy supply are unsustainable in the face of climate change.
“Innovation is clearly necessary to address the energy/environment equation, but let us keep in mind that such innovation cannot be only technological,” said Bruno Lanvin, executive director for global indices at business school Insead.
The index is co-authored by Insead, Cornell University and WIPO.
Lanvin added: “New social, economic and business models are required, including through efforts to promote smart cities, mobility solutions based on shared vehicles—and a global citizenry with better information on the impacts of various energy policies.”
According to WIPO’s analysis, the total number of patent families and PCT applications in energy technologies almost doubled between 2005 and 2013. But this accelerated growth was followed by a period of deceleration and a slow decline.
In 2012, the number of green patent families peaked at 113,547. Since then, a decrease in the number of families occurred in every year until 2015, when the figure hit 109,266.
The total published PCT applications covering green energy technology peaked in 2013. This was followed by a decrease of about 11% between 2013 and 2017, dropping from 17,880 to 15,840, an annual decrease of 3%.
The trends were described as “worrying” in the index.
WIPO also ranked the innovation of 126 economies using dozens of metrics, from patent filings to education spending.
Switzerland retained its lead for the eighth consecutive year, with the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK, Singapore, the US, Finland, Denmark, Germany and Ireland completing the top ten.
China broke into the top 20, placing 17th. In 2017, the country came 22nd.
Francis Gurry, WIPO director, said: “China’s rapid rise reflects a strategic direction set from the top leadership to developing world-class capacity in innovation and to moving the structural basis of the economy to more knowledge-intensive industries that rely on innovation to maintain competitive advantage.”
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.
Today's top stories
Türk Patent functioning despite ‘ceasing to exist’
EU court confirms invalidation of wine trademark
Engineer stole information for US Navy prototypes, says jury
US strikes again as China trade war rages on
