ABSTRACT
Achieving environmental goals frequently requires the utilization of specific technology: for instance pollution control technology, low emission technology, or energy efficient technology. It is this phenomenon that has historically dominated the discussion of technology transfer in the global environmental governance literature, although the concepts of “South–South” and even “South–North” technology transfer are gaining interest with the rise of the emerging economies and their increasingly prominent role in environmental technology development and deployment. Technology transfer is closely tied to the concept of “technology leapfrogging,” or the skipping of some generations of technology or stages of development. Technology transfers may be facilitated by the efforts of government, international organizations, research institutes, or business and corporations, and can occur through many different models, including technology licensing, mergers and acquisitions, joint development, and foreign direct investment. The role of intellectual property protections in facilitating or inhibiting technology transfers has been examined extensively.
