The United Kingdom will now fast-track patent applications for inventions that could have a significant impact on combatting climate change. The “green” patent initiative was launched on 12 May by David Lammy, UK Minister for Intellectual Property. It will enable UK businesses working in green technologies to get patent rights faster, according to the UK Intellectual Property Office. The UKIPO said the UK has engaged talks with China to agree on the green patents initiative and is seeking to work with other major trading partners to get them to sign up to the system. The initiative would potentially reduce the time to get a patent granted to nine months.