The PCT and the SDGs

The chronological evolution of the filing of PCT applications relating to the SDGs:

WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is a mechanism by which many innovators in PCT member States seek foreign patent protection on the technologies they have developed. 

To the extent that those technologies may be relevant to addressing the issues and challenges identified in the individual SDGs and associated targets, the processing of those PCT applications by WIPO results in the inventions being disclosed to the world, while at the same time assisting the innovators in seeking legal protection.  As an enabling mechanism, the PCT facilitates the bringing forth of technologies relevant to the SDGs. 

According to our data, inventions aimed at one of the SDG challenges are more likely to use the PCT than they are to use the national patent systems, which makes sense since the PCT facilitates the seeking of multinational patent protection in a particularly cost-effective way.

The following are examples of published PCT applications which have been determined to be relevant to a particular SDG: 

• Autonomous laser weed eradication WO2021055485.A1 (SDG 2)
• Method and apparatus for nutrient removal with carbon addition WO2018009348.A1 (SDG 6)
• Real-time adaptive control of additive manufacturing processes using machine learning WO2018217903.A1 (SDG 9)
• Recyclable paper packaging with high barrier to water vapor and oxygen WO2021164913.A1 (SDG 11 and 12)
• Power plant with CO2 capture WO2010072710.A3 (SDG 13)