Intellectual Property Rights as a Key Driver in Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

One might initially question what role intellectual property rights (IPRs) play with regards to mitigating global climate change. Unquestionably, one of the most important issues of the modern era is the struggle against climate change. In light of the significant effects that climate change is having on everyone on the planet, traditional intellectual property techniques need to be completely rethought in other to mitigate the climate change crisis. IPRs, however, impede access to climate change mitigation technology, particularly in developing nations. As a result, there is a significant discussion about the necessity to change IPR-related legislation in order to remove barriers to global technology transfer. This article examined the complex relationship between IP rights and climate change through technologically based emissions reductions and with reference to pertinent technologies for climate change mitigation. The author opined that, mechanisms for protecting intellectual property rights can be crucial in the ongoing efforts to deal with and mitigate climate change on a national and international level. This would be accomplished by granting intellectual property rights a technology-based reductions in emissions and with reference to sustainable development laws.