Basics
WIPO GREEN is a public-private partnership established in 2013 by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It is an online platform for technology exchange that supports global efforts to address climate change by connecting providers and seekers of environmentally friendly technologies. Through its database, network, and events, WIPO GREEN brings together key players to catalyze green technology innovation and diffusion.
WIPO GREEN is unique because it assembles in one place technologies at all stages of development, from prototypes to marketable products. These technologies are available for license, collaboration, joint ventures, and sale. By including eco-friendly technologies as well as technology “needs” in its database, WIPO GREEN is a go-to platform for green technology innovation.
“Green technologies” are environmentally sound technologies as defined in Chapter 34 of Agenda 21 (The United Nations Program of Action from Rio, 1992). Green technologies “protect the environment, are less polluting, use all resources in a more sustainable manner, recycle more of their wastes and products, and handle residual waste in a more acceptable manner than the technologies for which they were substitutes”. These “include know-how, procedures, goods and services, and equipment as well as organizational and managerial procedures.”
WIPO GREEN is one of WIPO’s contributions to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. One of WIPO’s nine strategic goals, as set out in the Medium Term Strategic Plan and biennial Program and Budget, is “Addressing Intellectual Property in Relation to Global Policy Issues.” To this end, WIPO harnesses expertise in the global policy debates related to intellectual property (IP), focusing on three global challenges: climate change, global public health, and food security.
It also works with partners to contribute practical solutions. In the Program and Budget for 2012 to 2017, member states gave WIPO the mandate to establish and maintain a functioning platform for open innovation and diffusion of green technologies, i.e. the WIPO GREEN platform.
WIPO GREEN is funded from the regular budget of WIPO; however, it has received contributions for specific projects and events from the Japan Intellectual Property Association (JIPA) and governments of Japan, Australia, France, and Brazil.
WIPO GREEN itself does not provide financial support for technologies, solutions, or projects. Technology providers are encouraged to upload technology solutions on the WIPO GREEN database and connect with other users through the database or our in-person events to explore partnership opportunities. You can also browse our list of funding opportunities.
WIPO’s Development Agenda includes a number of relevant recommendations (numbers 25, 26, 28, 30 and 40) that encourage WIPO to explore IP-related initiatives that promote the transfer and dissemination of technology, to the benefit of developing countries.
To support WIPO GREEN, member states can promote the initiative at national and regional levels and/or finance projects via funds-in-trust.
The WIPO GREEN Advisory Board, comprising partners and the WIPO Secretariat, guides the activities of WIPO GREEN. The Board advises on strategy, amendments to the WIPO GREEN Charter, the classification of green technologies on the WIPO GREEN database, and conduct outreach activities. The Advisory Board is an important consultative and counseling body but does not exercise any influence over WIPO’s program and budget.