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Green patents cover inventions that contribute to environmental sustainability. Recent years have seen an increase in green patent applications suggesting the growing importance of environmental sustainability across various industries. The global commitment to combat climate change and promote sustainable development has further fueled this growth of green technology. After launching the Green Channel, UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) saw a 300% rise in sustainable patent applications.
Let us have a closer look at the emerging trends innovations in green patent filings and understand how these advancements are shaping a more sustainable future.
Trends in Green Patenting
- Top Green Tech Sectors
Major areas for green patent filings include renewable energy, waste management, energy storage, sustainable agriculture, and carbon capture technologies. Renewable energy technologies viz. solar, wind, geothermal, and tidal energy are leading the charge as the world shifts towards cleaner energy sources. In India alone, a total of 61,186 patents for green technologies were issued during 2017-18 and 2021-22, 90% of which were majorly focused on waste management and alternative energy generation.
Innovations in energy storage, such as advanced battery technologies, help balance supply and demand in renewable energy systems. In sustainable agriculture, there is a growing interest in patents on precision farming, bio-based fertilizers, and water-efficient irrigation systems. Another rising trend is carbon capture technologies which involve the capture of CO2 emission from industrial processes.
- Green Innovation Hotspots
The United States along with China, Europe, Japan, and South Korea are leading in green patent filings. Patent research software is extensively used in these regions to streamline the patenting process and enhance the efficiency of green tech development.
China has rapidly increased its green patent filings, in accordance with the strong government incentives and an emphasis on green technology. Europe, particularly Germany and the Nordic nations, is at the forefront due to strict environmental regulations and a strong focus on sustainability. Japan and South Korea are also leading the way, particularly in energy-efficient technologies and sustainable manufacturing.
- Emerging Green Technologies
Green hydrogen, bio-based materials, and circular economy solutions are promising green tech areas seeing high patent activity.
Green hydrogen is gaining momentum as a clean energy carrier with the potential to decarbonize many sectors. There is also a rise in bio-based materials like biodegradable plastics and other materials derived from renewable sources as industries are reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally circular economy solutions promote recycling, waste reduction, and sustainable product design.
Figure : This chart shows the filing and grant trends related to green technologies in the recent years.
Patent Collaboration in Green Patenting
While the ICT industry has historically dominated patent pools, collaborative research and patent pools are increasing in the green tech sector. These initiatives, involving companies, research institutions, and government organizations, improve resource sharing, lower costs, and expedite the development and deployment of green technologies. According to the CEPGI, US clean energy patents surged over the past decade, with a sharp increase in collaborative patents with over 3,500 patents in 2020 alone. The Open Invention Network, for instance, promotes knowledge spillovers, as evidenced by more green patent applications, forward citations, and collaborative activities.
Challenges and Opportunities in Green Patenting
Here are some green patenting hurdles that must be overcome to maximize its potential.
- Balancing protection and access: To ensure patent protection does not hinder access to green technology, addressing “patent thickets” is crucial, complicating innovation. Innovative licensing models like patent pools and open-access initiatives can streamline patent landscape, encourage collaboration, and prioritize global sustainability goals.
- Patentability standards: Determining the “green” aspect of an invention might be challenging at times. To guarantee that only truly sustainable inventions are granted patents following thorough patent search and analytics, proper examination, precise criteria, and standards.
- High Costs: Prohibitive costs of obtaining and maintaining patents hinder SMEs and individual inventors, limiting green tech innovation. Reducing costs or providing financial support for green patents could foster a more inclusive patent landscape analysis.
Future of Green Patenting
Stricter climate regulations are likely to accelerate green innovation. Policies that mandate reductions in carbon emissions are driving the development and adoption of green technologies. For instance, the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive have stimulated research in solar, wind, and other renewable technologies.
Additionally, open-source collaboration and licensing have immense potential to accelerate green tech adoption. The GreenXchange platform, for instance, allows firms to share their patents to promote sustainable innovation.
Green innovations are critical for a sustainable future. As we deal with the urgent need to fight climate degradation, the role of green patents in strengthening innovation and collaboration cannot be overstated. They support the development and dissemination of green technologies and create a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
PatSeer, a leading AI-powered patent intelligence platform, empowers stakeholders to navigate the intricate landscape of patents across diverse sectors, including the rapidly growing field of green technology. PatSeer provides comprehensive and actionable insights into global patent data, emerging trends, and potential collaboration opportunities. Whether conducting in-depth patentability searches, identifying relevant prior art, or assessing the competitive landscape, PatSeer streamlines the patent research process, enabling informed decision-making at every stage of the patenting journey. With its robust intellectual property database and advanced FTO Search capabilities, PatSeer ensures that innovators have the tools they need to succeed.
