Lewis, Joanna I

The story of China’s rapid rise in the global wind power industry provides valuable insight into the country’s domestic energy strategies and global positioning, and into the evolving nature of technology transfer and diffusion around the world. China is beginning to serve as a center for global technological innovation, and green innovation from China could play a crucial role in the global transition to a low-carbon economy. China’s wind industry not only provides a compelling example of technological leapfrogging, it also demonstrates new models of technology transfer and knowledge across borders. Given global concern about the impact of China’s rapidly increasing energy needs on global supplies and its ability almost single-handedly to change the global climate system, it is worthwhile to understand how and why Beijing has embraced green innovation.