A directional dilemma in climate innovation
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Date
2024-05-09
Authors
Mintz-Woo, Kian
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Publisher
Taylor & Francis
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Abstract
One branch of the responsible innovation literature involves the direction of innovation: if the public or decision-makers can or should direct innovation, how should innovation be directed? This paper explicates a case study where directionality -- the plurality of plausible values for innovation -- is directly implicated. In this case, a key technology may require a strategy for innovation, but there are contrasting normative reasons to drive that innovation in different ways, reflecting two distinct moral values, `effectiveness' and responsiveness to `need'. In this case, carbon dioxide removal, these values may well conflict. Strategically deploying carbon dioxide removal in a cost-effective manner would tend to support siting it in regions where there are significant oil and gas operations (e.g. North America, Europe and the Middle East). In contrast, strategically deploying carbon dioxide removal in response to need would tend to support siting it in regions where expected demand for the technology is required for development (e.g. Asia). Scholars ought to be aware that adopting directionality in innovation is only the start; which values to endorse can have crucial practical implications.
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Keywords
Carbon dioxide removal , Carbon capture and storage , Climate ethics , Climate justice , Directionality , Distributional justice , Global justice , Innovation
Citation
Mintz-Woo, K. (2024) 'A directional dilemma in climate innovation', Journal of Responsible Innovation, 11(1), 2346972 (14pp). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/23299460.2024.2346972