Innovation for a low carbon future – The envisaged role of

The Technology Innovation Agency

David PhahoTechnology Innovation Agency

Presentation Outline

• Introduction to the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)

• Innovation & Going Green: Challenges • Constituents of a Green Economy Strategy

• TIA Strategic Thrusts For a Green Economy• Q & A

Technology Innovation Agency

• The TIA Act [No 26 of 2008]: section 3• “The object of the Agency is to support the State

in:• stimulating and intensifying technological

innovation• in order to improve economic growth and the

quality of life of all South Africans• by supporting the development and exploitation of

technological innovations

Basic Applied Tech Develop Transfer & Proliferation

Publicly Funded Research Institutes

SpecialistResearch Funds

InternationalResearch Funds

TIA

Funding Agencies

VentureCapital

Publications/new knowledge Patents/new knowledge products

SME Develop.Agencies

Innovation & Going Green: Challenges

Government has other pressing, competing Priorities namely job creation & poverty reduction

In terms of Innovation, current energy efficient technologies are still expensive for most countries Very few countries prioritize “Environmentally benign” Technologies

Few will meet their Greenhouse Gas Emission Targets

Touchstones of a

Comprehensive National Green Economy

Strategy

Diversify renewable Energy options (biofuels, Solar, Wind, Nuclear e.t.c.)

Innovation (lightweight materials; environmentally friendly technologies)

Green Jobs in emerging areas such as Light Materials, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and new Building Technologies

Fuel Efficient Transportation Systems (e.g. battery powered cars)

“Weaning ourselves from fossil fuels specifically, oil & coal

TIA Strategic Thrusts

for a

Green Economy

Strategic Innovation Investments to reduce carbon footprint & GHG emissions in Manufacturing:

Advanced, Light Materials Research

Energy Efficient Transportation Systems

Cleaner Production Technologies Research

Biofuels through Biotechnology/Agro-processing

Exemplary Case Study(South Africa’s first Electric car)

Innovation Fund – Electric Vehicles

A relay race…

Start with AN IDEA ……. Initial design and prototype funded by the DST-IF Further prototyping funded jointly by the DST-IF and the IDC Make A FULLY WORKING PROTOTYPE IDC take the lead, DTI comes to the fore Entering INDUSTRIALISATION and assessing TIA role

Building the fabric of a knowledge economy – establishing the capacity to design and build our own cars – competing in the world market with South African creativity

Adding to the manufacturing and export base

Window of opportunity to enter the automotive industry as an emerging oem and for South Africa to grow economic activity with a new globally expanding market for cars, batteries, electric motors.

A South African Designed and Manufactured Battery Electric Vehicle -Joule

What if We do not Innovate for A Green Economy?

…... Some food for thought

Climate Change The Economic Impact

“ Any increase of 2 - 3°C rise in temperature could reduce global economic output by 3% or by 10% if temperature rise by 5°C ~ $600 bn/year”

Sir Nicholas Stern report on Economic Consequence of Global Warming October 2006

….… but the good News

Global Clean Energy Initiatives are yielding significant Economic benefits e.g.

Current Clean Energy Markets were estimated at

~ $160 bn by 2005

5th Largest Venture Capital Category after Biotechnology, IT Software, Medical & Telecoms

Lofthouse, R. 2007. The Green Klondike. European Business, pp 28 – 30, January 2007

THANK YOU