EU Emission Trading: Policy-Induced Innovation, or Business as Usual?

Martin Larsson

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Issues concerning environmental protection have gained significant traction within the past few decades. Public policy solutions to the pressing problems associated especially with the challenges of climate change are experiencing high levels of public salience and scientific attention. Simultaneously technological change has become widely considered as a necessary component of efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of modern societies. Accordingly, a body of research has emerged, exploring the interconnectedness of public environmental policy and innovation practices. This work aims at empirically assessing the efficacy of the European Union´s most prominent environmental policy instrument in promoting technological advancements aimed at facilitating the achievement of substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This section will proceed by providing some fundamental background knowledge, followed by the clarification of the scientific and societal relevance of this research, the presentation of central and ancillary research questions, and an overview of the remaining content.

Abstract:

Issues concerning environmental protection have gained significant traction within the past few decades. Public policy solutions to the pressing problems associated especially with the challenges of climate change are experiencing high levels of public salience and scientific attention. Simultaneously technological change has become widely considered as a necessary component of efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of modern societies. Accordingly, a body of research has emerged, exploring the interconnectedness of public environmental policy and innovation practices. This work aims at empirically assessing the efficacy of the European Union´s most prominent environmental policy instrument in promoting technological advancements aimed at facilitating the achievement of substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This section will proceed by providing some fundamental background knowledge, followed by the clarification of the scientific and societal relevance of this research, the presentation of central and ancillary research questions, and an overview of the remaining content.

Keywords

Emission Trading, Policy-Induced Innovation, Business

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 7. 7. 2017

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 7. 7. 2017
• Supervisor: Dr. Johan den Hertog, LLM
• Reader: Mgr. Filip Černoch, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
International Territorial Studies / European Governance