With global environmental degradation, accelerated resource depletion, and increasing public attention to environmental protection, green technologies focusing on reducing resource consumption, developing renewable resources, and mitigating environmental pollution have become a prominent topic worldwide. Policies encouraging and supporting the development of green industries have proliferated, driving rapid advancements in green technologies and environmental industries. However, the creation, application, and promotion of green technologies rely heavily on intellectual property systems, particularly patent protection. Countries, regions, and international organizations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, China, the European Union, and the United Nations Climate Change Conference have begun exploring green patent systems based on the public policy attributes of patent frameworks, aligning with goals for green technology innovation and development.
Green technology refers to innovations that facilitate resource conservation, enhance energy efficiency, prevent and control pollution, and achieve sustainable development. Key areas include alternative energy, environmental materials, energy-saving and emission reduction, pollution control and treatment, and recycling technologies. China is actively advancing the construction of its green patent system. Notably, the Measures for the Management of Priority Patent Examination, implemented in August 2017, explicitly designate priority examination for patents related to key national industries such as energy conservation and environmental protection, next-generation information technology, biotechnology, high-end equipment manufacturing, new energy, new materials, and new energy vehicles.
According to the Chinese Green Patent Statistical Report (2014-2017) released by the China National Intellectual Property Administration in 2018, China's green innovation activities are robust, and the volume of green patents has steadily increased. By the end of 2017, China possessed 136,000 valid green patents. From 2014 to 2017, green patent applications totaled 249,000, with an annual growth rate exceeding the overall invention patent growth rate by 3.7 percentage points.
The CnOpenData team identified patent citations and citations received based on three categories of Chinese green patents: invention applications, invention grants, and utility model patents. The data is organized into the "China Green Patent Citation Table" and the "China Green Patent Cited Table," providing foundational support for research in green patents.
Database Application Guide
CnOpenData Application Guide to Chinese Green Patent and Citation/Cited Data: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/cZ4zbFPgFWt8LGRAhayxZg
Time Period
1985-2024.12.31
Field Display
Sample Data
China Green Patent Citation Table
China Green Patent Cited Table
Relevant Literature
- Tao Feng, Zhao Jinyu, Zhou Hao. 2021, "Has Environmental Regulation Achieved 'Quality and Quantity Enhancement' in Green Technology Innovation? Evidence from the Environmental Protection Target Responsibility System," China Industrial Economics, No. 2.
- Li Qingyuan, Xiao Zehua. 2020, "Heterogeneous Environmental Regulation Tools and Incentives for Corporate Green Innovation: Evidence from Green Patents of Listed Companies," Economic Research Journal, No. 9.
- Qi Shaozhou, Lin Shen, Cui Jingbo. 2018, "Can Environmental Rights Trading Markets Induce Green Innovation? Evidence from Green Patent Data of Chinese Listed Companies," Economic Research Journal, No. 12.
- Josh Lerner, Amit Seru. 2021, "The Use and Misuse of Patent Data: Issues for Finance and Beyond," The Review of Financial Studies.
Data Update Frequency
Annual Update