6.3.9 (HL)—Technology development

A mitigation technology works only when its device, energy supply, infrastructure, users, access and end-of-life system together reduce emissions.

Socially embedded technologies include smart-city apps and sensors that guide people to charging stations, public transport or recycling services; the information changes emissions only when the physical service is available and used.

Named society—San Francisco: installing EV charging stations can reduce a practical barrier to electric-vehicle use. The mitigation benefit remains conditional on electricity emissions, vehicle manufacture, charger access and displacement of fossil-fuel travel.

Evaluate implementation, adoption, lifecycle emissions, rebound, reliability and who can access the technology.

A device's rated efficiency or smart label is not its system-wide climate outcome.