Innovationsmotor Umweltschutz: Forschung und Patente in Deutschland und im internationalen Vergleich

Abstract

Efforts to protect and improve the environment and climate are increasing globally. This development is not only reflected in rising costs and investments for environmental purposes but also in a growing relevance of innovation activities for environmental protection solutions. The study uses several indicators to analyze the structures and developments of environmental research in Germany and in an international comparison. In the long run, it turns out, that public research and development budgets as well as patent applications in environmental fields have increased significantly worldwide, with physical topics (waste, water, air, noise) becoming less important than energy and climate protection topics (renewables, energy efficiency)