Clean Quote by Thomas Pogge
“We have this highly irrational system of incentivizing innovation for clean and green technologies, where we allow the innovator to have a temporary monopoly and then mark up the price of the product or sell licenses at high prices to those who want to use the kind of product that the innovator has invented. This system is collectively irrational because many people, to avoid the inflated prices of still-patented cleaner and greener technologies, opt for some older technology that is much more polluting.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Climate Policy Forum, 2018
The current system gives innovators short‑term monopoly power, leading to high prices that push consumers toward older, more polluting tech, making the whole approach counter‑productive for clean innovation.
In simple terms: Monopolies raise prices, causing people to stick with dirty tech.
Key Takeaway
Reform incentives to avoid price spikes.
Themes
environment
economics
innovation
policy
monopoly
Mood
concerned
critical
analytical
Type
policy
economic
environmental
When to use this quote
- Government subsidies for clean tech
- tax credits for renewable adoption
- public procurement of green products
Key Concepts
Externalities
public goods
market failure
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance rewarding innovators with affordable access?
- What alternative models could replace temporary monopolies?
A Different Perspective
High prices may still deter adoption even with subsidies.
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