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Melting Down and Scaling Up: Stabilizing Climate Change by Promoting Private Sector Technology Development
Author(s) -
Perusse Brian,
Riggins Matthew,
Rodgers Jeff,
Zimring Maury
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
review of policy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1541-1338
pISSN - 1541-132X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1541-1338.2009.00403.x
Subject(s) - profitability index , private sector , government (linguistics) , maturity (psychological) , global warming , business , order (exchange) , investment (military) , climate change , renewable energy , emerging technologies , natural resource economics , industrial organization , environmental economics , economics , economic growth , finance , engineering , political science , ecology , linguistics , philosophy , materials science , electrical engineering , politics , law , nanotechnology , biology
This paper will examine the role the private sector plays in researching, developing, and deploying technology that has the potential to deter or decrease the impacts of global warming. It will explore the degree to which the private sector can have an impact on global warming by focusing on four specific technologies: aircraft engines, wind turbines, solar energy, and clean coal technologies. We will compare the environmental impact of these technologies with the business case for pursuing each, specifically related to profitability and market maturity. We conclude that the business case alone is not sufficiently compelling to stimulate meaningful industry investment in these areas. Consequently, specific government involvement is needed for CO 2 reduction. This analysis will shed light on the role that government must play in order to more effectively engage potential private sector players in the global warming challenge.