Grand challenges and the role of the ‘linear model’

ABSTRACT

The commitment of recently elected Joe Biden to achieve carbon net-zero by 2050, together with the EU and China, signals a real effort against the climate emergency by the main economic actors globally. But how will the US make it happen in the context of a surplus of cheap polluting energy derived from shale gas? Or how will China, given her frequent inauguration of coal power plants? For Freeman (1996), beyond changes in consumer culture and in institutions, priority for long-term R&D is justified and needed to get us out of our current carbon-based mode of production. He argued in the mid-1990s that the ‘linear model’ of innovation, often more criticised than supported, still has a role to play in tackling the climate challenge.

KEYWORDS:

• Innovation policy
• linear model of innovation
• grand challenges
• mission-oriented policy
• Chris Freeman

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.