Technology Transfers for Climate Change
39 Pages Posted: 13 Jan 2014
There are 2 versions of this paper
Technology Transfers for Climate Change
Technology Transfers for Climate Change
Date Written: December 30, 2013
Abstract
This paper considers investments in cost-reducing technology in the context of contributions to climate protection. Contributions to mitigating climate change are analyzed in a two-period model where later contributions can be based on better information, but delaying the contribution to the public good is costly because of irreversible damages. We show that, when all countries have access to the new technology, countries have an incentive to invest in technology because this can lead to an earlier contribution of other countries and therefore reduce a country’s burden of contributing to the public good. Our results provide a rationale for the support of technology sharing initiatives.
Keywords: private provision of public goods, environmental public goods, technology sharing, uncertainty, irreversibility
JEL Classification: H410, Q520, D620, D830, F530
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation