A new database entirely devoted to green inventions has been launched by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) with the aim of boosting the development of environmentally-friendly technology. Companies and individuals will now have access to many green ideas and inventions which should then help others to build on them and produce further innovations. The Government claims to be supportive of green technology development and hopes the new database will benefit new technology and environmental industry. The Green Channel initiative, launched last year, fast-tracks patent applications for environmentally advantageous applications and it is these types of patents that will be included on the database.

Intellectual Property Minister Baroness Wilcox said,

"Innovation and invention will drive the green economy and help make Britain a world leader in this field. Green growth will feed the economic recovery while helping to create a more responsible and sustainable future. This new database will provide businesses with easy access to green ideas and inventions. I want to ensure the UK is at the cutting-edge of low-carbon technology and industries.”