Fostering Sustainable Development Goals Through an Integrated Approach: Phasing in Green Energy Technologies in India and China

This chapter analyzes the potential role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), and what governments in developing countries can do to phase in STI-based solutions, especially green energy technologies, for achieving SDGs. For this purpose, the authors examined three successful phase-in experiences in solar energy and energy efficiency in two emerging economies (China and India). This is being done with the help of an integrated framework that merges political economy elements of interests, ideas, and institutions with capabilities and policy delivery. The experiences in dealing with observed difficulties (having to do with power, lock-in, weak institutions of governance, and information asymmetries) are used to outline what governments in developing countries can do to phase in green STI-based transitions by utilizing the opportunities already present that coincide with development objectives. Proposed solutions include proactive planning, rent management, use of adaptive policy mixes (informed by policy learning), and tailored implementation mechanisms.