Advancing climate change adaptation technologies: Exploring patenting motives and barriers of low-and middle-income inventors - Version 3 - 23 February 2023

Oct 3, 2026

Climate change adaptation technologies (CCAT) are essential in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), which face disproportionate climate risks. LMIC inventors hold valuable local knowledge, yet evidence on why they still pursue patents and what prevents them remains limited. This working paper identifies LMIC-origin CCAT inventions using the Y02A CPC classification, interviews thirteen inventors from 71 patents, and derives six propositions. Results highlight patents’ role in attracting investment and enabling diffusion, while weak national systems and corruption constrain protection. It recommends improved IP education and technology matchmaking support from national and international organizations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Existing literature

Centre for Technology Management working paper series ISSN 2058-8887 No. 3 February 2023 Advancing climate change adaptation technologies: Exploring patenting motivesand barriersoflow-and middle-income inventors doi:10.17863/CAM.94276 Marco Mognato (ISMM, University of Cambridge) Maximilian Elsen (CTM-IIPM University of Cambridge) Frank Tietze (CTM-IIPM, University of Cambridge) * * Please contact the corresponding author for feedback: [ft263@cam.ac.uk](ft263@cam.ac.uk) Centre for Technology Management Advancing climate change adaptation technologies: Exploring patenting motives and barriers oflow-and middle income inventors Version 3, 23 February 2023 © Marco Mognato1, Maximilian Elsen1, Frank Tietze1 1 Innovation and IP Management (IIPM) Laboratory, Centre for Technology Management (CTM), Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK The article reflects the views of the authors and not the organisations that they represent/are affiliated with. Abstract Climate change adaptation technologies (CCAT) are critically needed in low- and middleincome countries (LMIC), which tend to be most affected by climate change. Inventors from LMIC (i.e. LMIC inventors) tend to possess valuable local knowledge for developing CCAT inventions. While previous research shows that IP rights regimes, such as patent systems, tend to be weak in LMIC, little is known about the motives for LMIC inventors that still apply for patents and the barriers they face. In this study, we focus particularly on LMIC inventors that develop CCAT inventions, investigating their patenting motives, benefits, and barriers. We identified CCAT inventions that originated from LMIC using the Y02A CPC patent classification. From an astonishingly small sample of 71 patents, we interviewed thirteen inventors using a semi-structured interview approach. From an inductive coding approach, six propositions emerged that we discussed subsequently with policy experts, such as from the United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) and WIPO Green. Despite the fact that patent regimes in LMIC tend to be weak, our findings indicate the important role of patents for LMIC inventors to attract investments and facilitate technology diffusion. However, weak national patent systems and corruption in LMIC tend to limit the protection of inventions, which appears to be a barrier for inventors. The results also indicate that national and international organisations should consider better supporting LMIC inventors by providing more IP education and more effective technology matchmaking models. Findings also imply that the need for CCAT inventions represents an innovation opportunity for LMIC, with potential substantial economic benefits. Keywords: Intellectual property, patenting motives and barriers, climate change adaptation technology, low-and middle-income countries 1. Introduction Climate change is a global challenge, but low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are experiencing the greatest risk (Dechezlepretre, et al., 2020) . While climate change mitigation technologies (CCMT) are needed to reduce CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere, climate change adaptation technologies (CCAT) are needed particularly in LMIC that are likely to be most affected by climate change. While global north actors appear to dominate the development ofCCAT, those living in LMIC develop CCAT inventions. One might even argue that they possess particularly valuable local knowledge to potentially develop highly effective and resource efficient CCAT inventions that are of value not only in their own region and country, but possibly even to other LMIC (Lee & Mwebaza, 2020) . So far, IP related research has paid little attention to studying LMIC inventors developing CCAT inventions. With our research, and this initial study particularly, we aim to better understand what role intellectual property (IP) rights might play

FAQs

What problem does the study address about LMIC inventors and CCAT patents?

The study addresses the limited understanding of LMIC inventors’ motives for still applying for patents and the barriers they encounter when developing climate change adaptation technologies.

How did the authors identify CCAT inventions originating from LMIC?

The authors used the Y02A CPC patent classification to identify CCAT inventions that originated from low- and middle-income countries.

What key barriers and benefits related to patents did the study find?

Findings indicate patents can help attract investment and support technology diffusion, but weak national patent systems and corruption can limit protection, acting as major barriers for inventors.

Oct 3, 2026

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