No thorough evaluations of VA schemes have been published yet. In some cases the result of a voluntary agreement may come close to those of regulation. Voluntary agreements can have some apparent advantages above regulation, in that they may be easier and faster to implement, and may lead to more cost-effective solutions. Every industrial facility is unique in the process equipment used, lay-out, resources used, and organisation. Translation from a generic technology level into practical solutions within a country, sector or individual plant is needed.
Various countries have subsidy programmes under which new applications of technologies are eligible.
Unless the capacity to adapt technology to the specific circumstances is developed, either in industry or technical assistance providers, investments in clean and energy efficient technology will not be successful. Repetition Research and development can have various goals, depending on the barriers to be tackled to implement a technology. Blok et al. The Brazilian Alcohol programme is an example of indigenous technology development. The centre also maintains a benchmarking programme to monitor and improve performance among members.