Innovation systems in developing countries

The document argues that low-carbon innovation is a systemic process involving networks of actors and institutional environments, rather than just technical hardware. It highlights that developing countries have a unique opportunity to bypass high-carbon 'lock-in' due to less established energy infrastructures. The authors recommend a 'socio-technical' approach that considers local cultural practices and 'fit-stretch dynamics' to ensure technology adoption. Strengthening indigenous capabilities and aligning international initiatives, such as the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, with national policies are presented as essential for sustainable transition.

• Low-carbon innovation is a systemic process that encompasses a non-linear range of stages, including R&D, prototyping, demonstration, market-formation, commercialisation, and deployment. It is not limited to technical hardware but includes social, political, and cultural changes, requiring a 'socio-technical' approach to understand why certain technologies are adopted while others are not.
• Innovation outcomes are characterized by irreducible uncertainty and are resource-intensive to develop, often taking decades to reach commercial reality. Because of this risk, the public sector must provide financial support to complement private sector investments and help create markets for cleaner technologies.
• Developing countries, particularly poorer ones, have a strategic advantage in avoiding 'carbon lock-in'—the entrenchment of high-carbon infrastructure and vested interests—because their energy infrastructures are less established than those in industrialised nations.
• The adoption of low-carbon technologies depends on 'fit-stretch dynamics' regarding social and cultural practices. Technologies that do not 'fit' existing practices (e.g., solar cookers requiring outdoor use during daylight) may be rejected, while those that 'stretch' practices (e.g., solar home systems enabling global connectivity via mobile phones) are more likely to be adopted.
• Successful low-carbon transition requires building indigenous capabilities—skills and knowledge—in tandem with technology adoption. These capabilities must be self-determined and sensitive to local contexts, including natural resource endowments and the specific needs of the energy-poor and the rising middle class.
• International support mechanisms, such as the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTC&N), and Climate Innovation Centres (CICs), can assist in building innovation systems, but they must be aligned with national policy frameworks to be effective.

APA

Byrne, R., Schoots, K., Watson, J., Ockwell, D., de Coninck, H., Gallagher, K. S., & Sagar, A. (2012). Innovation systems in developing countries. Climate Strategies. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/policy-brief-innovation-systems-in-developing-countries.pdf

Chicago

Byrne, Rob, Koen Schoots, Jim Watson, David Ockwell, Heleen de Coninck, Kelly Sims Gallagher, and Ambuj Sagar. Innovation systems in developing countries. Climate Strategies, 2012. https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/policy-brief-innovation-systems-in-developing-countries.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Byrne |first1=Rob |last2=Schoots |first2=Koen |last3=Watson |first3=Jim |last4=Ockwell |first4=David |last5=de Coninck |first5=Heleen |last6=Gallagher |first6=Kelly Sims |last7=Sagar |first7=Ambuj |title=Innovation systems in developing countries |publisher=Climate Strategies |date=September 2012 |url=https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/policy-brief-innovation-systems-in-developing-countries.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{byrne2012innovation, author = {Byrne, Rob and Schoots, Koen and Watson, Jim and Ockwell, David and de Coninck, Heleen and Gallagher, Kelly Sims and Sagar, Ambuj}, title = {{Innovation systems in developing countries}}, institution = {Climate Strategies}, year = {2012}, month = sep, url = {https://climatestrategies.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/policy-brief-innovation-systems-in-developing-countries.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }