Do Patents on Environmental Technologies Truly Facilitate the Green Transition in Japan? A Pathway to the 2050 Net-Zero Emission Target

Abstract

In the context of the Paris Agreement, many governments have been tackling climate change and trying to achieve net-zero emission targets by 2050, since these targets are vital to limiting global warming to 2°C for a sustainable planet. This study explores the linkage between environmental sustainability and environmental patents in Japan. For this purpose, the study covers 1975–2021 and employs novel econometric approaches such as the Fourier unit root, Fourier ARDL cointegration, and Fourier-based long-term coefficient techniques. As a result of the empirical findings, we first capture a long-run cointegration relationship between environmental sustainability, environmental patents, economic growth, and energy consumption. We unexpectedly discovered empirical evidence that contradicts the existing literature. According to the Fourier-based long-term coefficient results, environmental patents, economic growth, and energy consumption adversely affect environmental quality. Therefore, we have three main interpretations of the findings. (i) Contrary to expectations, patents on environmental technologies adversely impact environmental sustainability. (ii) Japan has not yet achieved a decoupling between economic growth and CO2 emissions. (iii) The negative impact of environmental patents on environmental sustainability reveals that environmental patents have yet to have any influential power in achieving net-zero emission targets. In addition, environmental patent strategies do not help emission reduction in Japan. Therefore, if policymakers emphasize long-term environmental patent policies, they might establish an additional strategy to achieve net-zero targets, which is crucial for mitigating possible emission gaps. These findings suggest that Japanese policymakers should support effective environmental patents to achieve the net-zero emission target by 2050.