Under One Per Cent of Clean Energy Technology Patents Filed in Africa, Highlighting Huge Potential for Exploiting Renewable Sources

 

Under One Per Cent of Clean Energy Technology Patents Filed in Africa, Highlighting Huge Potential for Exploiting Renewable Sources

 

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Report Launch: 10am, Monday May 13

Venue: Intercontinental Hotel

Speakers:

Nicholaus Thumm , Chief Economist, European Patent Office

Robert Ondhowe, Legal Oficer, United Nations Environment Programme

Less than one per cent of all patent applications relating to Clean Energy Technology (CET) have been filed in Africa, highlighting an opportunity for the continent to leapfrog existing fossil-fuel energy sources and thus cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions and bring major health benefits.

A new study by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Patent Office (EPO)—Patents and Clean Energy Technologies in Africa—to be launched on Monday finds that Africa has a huge untapped potential for generating clean energy, but that the slow pace of technology transfer is preventing this from being fully exploited.

The report, which will be launched during a high-level workshop, looks at the patent landscape in Africa, and issues recommendations on how to use the patent system to speed up the transfer of important technologies.

Other experts will be available to discuss the issue, including:

Clarice Wilson, Business Development Manager, Biossal Kenya

Kimani Njoroge, Director, Solimpex Africa

Maarten van Heepen, Phillips International

Said Ramadhan, African Regional Intellectual Property Office (ARIPO)

Dr Henry Mutai, Managing Director, Kenya Industrial Property Institute

Prof. Muya, Chairman, National Social and Economic Council

 

SOURCE 

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)