China has firmly established itself as a global leader in sustainable innovation, securing more than half of the world's green and low-carbon patent applications in 2023.
A recent report by China's top intellectual property regulator revealed a remarkable 20% year-on-year increase in green patent applications, which now account for over 50% of the global total. This growth outpaces the global average by 7.1 percentage points, showcasing China's commitment to advancing environmentally friendly technologies.
Green and low-carbon patents focus on technologies that promote sustainable development, encompassing five key areas: carbon reduction of fossil energy, energy saving and recycling, clean energy, energy storage, and greenhouse gas capture and utilization.
In the realm of energy storage, China achieved 37,000 patent applications in 2023 alone, representing 48% of the global volume. The country also led worldwide in invention patents for solar energy and hydrogen energy, with 8,000 and 5,000 applications respectively.
Additionally, China's applications for green and low-carbon technologies through the Patent Cooperation Treaty surpassed 5,000 in 2023, maintaining its position as the global leader for the third consecutive year. Since 2019, China has consistently been the world's top filer of patent applications, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization.
These achievements highlight China's pivotal role in driving global sustainability efforts and advancing green technologies that can mitigate environmental challenges.
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China leads global green patent applications with over 50% share
cgtn.com
