Accelerating Low-Carbon Innovation

Accelerating innovation in low-carbon technologies is fundamental in order to achieve global climate targets. However, only few technologies are currently on track to meet these targets. Here, we review and synthesize the innovation literature to develop a technology typology that helps explain systematic differences in technologies' experience rates. Based on the typology, we derive implications for policy makers and climate and energy modelers. More specifically, we argue that the Paris Agreement's focus on the national green industrial policy only suits innovation in certain types of technologies, and thus, should be complemented by top-down measures to coordinate research, development, demonstration, deployment, and regulations across countries.