Trends in water-related technological innovation: insights from patent data

Innovation has a role to play to mitigate water-related risks and to support the provision of water services on which our well-being and sustainable development depend. Water-related innovation originate in a wide range of countries, with different levels of ambition. They disseminate at different scales globally. This paper uses patent data to document trends in the invention of technologies to promote water security since 1990, focusing on the countries in which inventions are developed, where they might be commercialised, and in which subsectors they originate. The water-related technologies identified in the paper can be clustered into three categories: i) water pollution abatement; ii) demand-side; and iii) supply-side. The paper describes a number of important trends that can inform a broader discussion on the factors that might hinder, or enhance, inventive activity to promote water security.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	1423211781052 Leflaive, X., OECD, Paris (France) eng 174937, 1423211781053 Krieble, B., 1423211781054 Smythe, H.
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:	eng
Published:	Paris (France) OECD 2020
Subjects:	water pollution, drought stress, water scarcity, water conservation, water security, innovation adoption, patents, SDGs, Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation,
Online Access:	https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/environment/trends-in-water-related-technological-innovation_821c01f2-en
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