Breaking Through on Technology: Overcoming the Barriers to the Development and Wide Deployment of Low-Carbon Technology
Article
Technology is central to human progress and economic development. Facing up simultaneously to the climate and development crises requires technological innovation to be driven rapidly in the direction of low-carbon and high efficiency and for access to the benefits of this process to be widespread. Governments, acting at the national level and through international collaboration have a significant role to play in this process.
This study, drawing on primary research and reviews of national policies in eight countries and additional, international analysis where necessary, suggests that effective development and 'transfer' of low-carbon technology requires a complex combination of factors. Its findings emphasise the importance of technology to all countries, underlining an urgent need to place technology 'front and centre' of the negotiations and to find the means and mechanisms to support and enable strong national policy-making through an international framework. View the Portuguese translation of this paper.
Related items

Taxing choices: Taking the public’s temperature ahead of the budget
The stakes for a government are rarely higher than at a budget. Every chancellor has dealt with this differently. Ken Clarke would draft his budget speech with cigars and whisky, Gordon Brown pored over every word in what officials called…
Great expectations: Rejuvenating the national debate in Scotland
Fresh IPPR Scotland polling shows that politicians must raise their game if next year’s election is a to be serious debate about the challenges facing Scotland and potential solutions.
Unfinished business: Redressing inequality in British policy and Black lives
As conversations about race and equality continue to evolve, Black History Month remains a powerful invitation to pause, reflect, and recommit to progress.