Governing technological change by voluntary agreements: climate policy and Dutch petroleum production

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between voluntary agreements in climate policy and technological change in the Dutch petroleum sector. Empirical evidence suggests first that improvements in climate-friendly technology have been partly caused by ‘soft’ pressure, diffusion of knowledge and new opportunities. Secondly, improvements have been marked significantly more by incremental diffusion of available technology than invention of new and radical solutions with significant consequences for CO2 emissions. That said, the voluntary agreements also have a potential for facilitating long-term radical innovation, due to their cooperative nature and capacity for collective learning.