Chapter 7 - Green and low-carbon technology innovations

Abstract

This chapter aims to help researchers and practitioners understand what issues or subjects have been addressed in green and low-carbon technology innovation and initiate a journey for the next generation of sustainable-oriented research. Thus, the researchers examined the literature enlisted in the database of Web of Science on topics regarding green technology and low-carbon technology innovations from 1994 to 2018. Based on the literature review, the critical discussion and conclusions are that: (1) the research of Western Europe and North America is highly advanced compared with other developing countries, especially in terms of new resources and renewable energy technology innovations. The positive journey of green and low-carbon technology innovations is outstanding. (2) Empirical research such as sample surveys and field studies with primary data are prevalent and outweigh other methods (conceptual, qualitative, and formal models research). (3) The research subjects are multiperspective and multidisciplinary, covering environment science, management, energy and fuels, economics, and social behavior. So far, research fields mainly focus on technology adoption, diffusion, transfer, policy-making or implementation, and advanced technology development. New vibrancy of advanced theoretical and methodological research is needed, especially for the trajectory of low-carbon technology innovations, performance evaluation, government policy instruments, and multilevel cooperation among enterprises, governments, and entrepreneurship development. (4) The trend of low-carbon and green technology research appears to be an interdisciplinary research with themes related to environmental subjects, science technology, business economics, engineering, and energy and fuels. (5) Different policy implementations have different effects owing to the diverse cost structures and the levels of maturity of renewable energy. (6) Green and low-carbon technology innovations cannot be isolated from the policy or regulation regime; it is becoming a new underpinning of current sustainable development coupled with social energy systems contributing to eliminate climate change.