The acceleration of innovation in climate policy: lessons from best practice

Abstract

This paper describes eight selected "best practice" cases of the acceleration of technical progress in climate policy. These are cases in which the diffusion of low-carbon technologies has been accelerated by policies, involving not just renewable energies, but also energy efficiency policies (the latter being considered more difficult). The author's objective is to describe the phenomenon and its variants, as well as offering a theoretical interpretation, which focuses on the interplay of three feedback mechanisms subject to demanding targets. Conclusions are then drawn from these sections for an ambitious climate policy that addresses both the acceleration in climate change and the competition for lowcarbon technologies in industrial policies.