The purpose of this paper is to (i) explore how technological relatedness conditions the progress in the digital and green transitions in Asian cities, (ii) identify the cities that are currently leading, as well as those that are most likely to take a prominent role in developing and implementing the Twin Transition technologies in the coming years, and (iii) determine which of these cities has the potential to leverage complementarities to develop green and digital technologies.
The global economy is undergoing two technological transitions, digital and green, also referred to as the Twin Transitions. Absorbing or inventing the technologies necessary for the Twin Transitions will be critical to achieving rapid and sustainable growth in economies and regions across the globe. Absorbing foreign technology and inventing new technologies is more feasible when a region already employs related technologies. For example, advances in cloud computing are more likely to originate from regions that are intensively involved in computer and internet technologies than in regions that specialize in other activities. Thus, a region’s ability to participate in the digital and green transitions will depend on the extent to which it already uses technology that is employed in activities related to those involved in the Twin Transitions. Many regions have demonstrated strong policy interest in preparing for and promoting the Twin Transition, but how ready are they and who has the knowledge and technological capabilities to lead such transition?
