1. Low Carbon Innovation in China Prospects, Politics & Partnerships Dr David Tyfield IAS, Lancaster University & Demos New Perspectives on Chinese Innovation 21 st February 2008

2. Climate Change is the global problem 2 to 6 °C temperature rise over 21 st century Need drastic global shift away from high to low carbon consumption Thorny global politics of an international agreement Great policy interest in “low carbon innovation” Climate Change as Social Problem

3. Economic growth ≈10% since 1990 >200 million out of poverty BUT Massive pollution problems No. 1 absolute emitter of GHGs (small per capita ) Huge rate of growth of energy consumption Vulnerability to climate change China cannot choose and must not be forced to choose between development and environment China’s Environmental Woes

4. Great interest in low carbon innovation from policy BUT what is it? Not just technology but also social innovation “Disruptive Innovation” – fundamental challenges to socio-economic systems (e.g. Barnsley biomass) “Democratic Innovation” – dispersed, open, user What is envisaged and supported by policy? “Low Carbon Innovation”?

5. China “Scientific development” “harmonious society” Environmental Legislation SEPA still weak, Energy still sub-ministerial International Transition in international political economy “Global” emergence Politics of Low Carbon Innovation

6. Innovation in China: The Next Science Powerhouse? Innovation capacity improving rapidly “Innovation-oriented country” by 2020, zizhu chuangxin Environmental innovation, e.g.: – Renewables: Suntech, Rizhao, wind – Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics on fuel cells – Dongtan Problems: rote-learning, “talent”, IPRs, connections to business, to other researchers & to civil society

7. Leapfrogging? Ambiguous outcome of policy and innovation Problems as stimulation? Growth vs. Environment, esp. at local level? Growth along familiar trajectories? e.g. Will the “car” run over the frog? Commitment to coal: lead the way with CCS or exacerbate global coal usage?

8. International Collaboration China’s problems are problems for us all EU/UK also lack “low carbon capacity” Innovation is globalising Room for mutual benefit China: tech transfer, improving capacity EU/UK: large & new markets to develop LC innovations Particular compatibilities between EU and China (Chatham House)

9. Constraints & Tough Decisions International – Global governance transition & economic slowdown – Beyond the low-hanging fruit: e.g. IPRs & tech transfer China – Plagiarism & confidentiality – Culture of open debate and criticism EU/UK – Match rhetoric with funds, for long-term partnerships Questions of Direction not just Scale – Need to develop global capacity for democratic oversight of socio-technical trajectories.

10. Cosmopolitanism as “global” social force Global ethic of concern taking diverse local forms Grassroots international partnerships are part of the context of the multi-layered politics of climate change treaty Regime of international collaboration towards “global public goods”, e.g. a climate change Marshall Plan or a global research council What factors help and constrain collaborations in low carbon innovation between the EU & China? – Energy, Agriculture & Urban Mobility Cosmopolitan Innovation ( 四海为家创新 )

11. We gratefully note the funding of the ESRC and AIM Project Team: Dr David Tyfield d.tyfield@lancaster.ac.uk Dr James Wilsdon james.wilsdon@demos.co.uk Prof John Urry j.urry@lancaster.ac.uk Prof Brian Wynne b.wynne@lancaster.ac.uk & the Demos “Atlas of Ideas” Team www.atlasofideas.org 谢谢