Sustainable innovation through leapfrogging: a review of the evidence

'Environmental leapfrogging' assumes that developing countries might be able to skip some of the dirty stages of development experienced by industrialised countries. Environmental leapfrogging could, therefore, contribute to development and environmental goals including climate mitigation objectives. This paper examines the prospects for environmental leapfrogging by reviewing the literature on technology leapfrogging and a set of four case studies. It shows that leapfrogging is possible, but that the key factors for success are different in each case. It is, therefore, not possible to generalise to a large degree. Trial-and-error learning needs to be accepted as part of leapfrogging strategies.