Research and technology competence for a sustainable development in the BRICS countries

Against the backdrop of the fast development in rapidly growing economies, the challenge presented by sustainable development is becoming more and more urgent from a global perspective. To reconcile economic growth and ecological sustainability requires absorption of sustainability technologies and the capacity to further develop them. The analysis determines the research and technology competences in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and Germany in six selected fields of sustainability. It follows a "System of Sustainability Innovations Approach" and focuses on the relations between general framework conditions, the research system, technological capability and the conditions for technology diffusion and cooperation.