The Role of Intellectual Property in Driving Eco-Innovation

May 1, 2020

In recent years, a renewed focus on conservation and sustainability has resonated worldwide as global warming and other climate change-related effects are felt.

The Philippines, with its vast natural resources, should find it imperative to strongly forward environmental conservation efforts amid its increasing vulnerability to numerous environmental challenges such as water shortage, deforestation, and coastal degradation, to name a few.

A sustainable response would be encouraging green technologies and solutions. Under the mid-term public policy which is the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, promoting sustainable industries is a definite subsector goal which was created to meet projected demands of the public while also reducing threats to biodiversity.

To take part in establishing such industries, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines aims to spur eco-innovations in the country primarily through promoting intellectual property protection. IP protection is a necessary tool for innovators to recoup the financial capital involved in the research and development of their works. It gives one the legal upperhand against competitors and bad actors from recreating their patented work and benefitting dishonestly.

In all, an effective IP system in the Philippines enables eco-innovators to create and market in the country while expanding the options for a more sustainable living for all.