Innovation in Sustainability
As the importance of sustainability continues to increase, so does the need to incorporate innovation into sustainable practices. Innovation is vital for growth, and organisations that do not adopt innovation are very likely to fall behind in the competitive business world. Sustainable innovation allows companies to not only innovate their products and services but also do their part for the environment – by having unintended environmental impact. In a world where 90% of Gen X consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products, now is the time to take action and prioritise sustainable innovation.
Natalie Fée
Founder of City to Sea, Committee Member for the Bristol Advisory Committee for Climate Change & Recognised as One of the 17 Trailblazing Bristol Women of All TimeDr. Laura Penn
Founder of The Leadership Speaking School & Leading Sustainability ExpertStephanie Burrell
Head of Sustainability at Smart DCC, Pioneered the Digital Membership Initiative for the World Economic Forum & Recipient of the Reward & Recognition Award from the Cabinet OfficeAndrea Geremicca
Author of "Circular Economy Manager" & a Sustainability & Innovation ExpertJason Jay
Senior Lecturer & Director of the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative, Strategic Advisor for the Climate Scale-Up & Affiliate Faculty for the Social Innovation + Change Initiative at Harvard Kennedy SchoolLizzie Carr
Founder of the Planet Patrol & The First Female to Paddleboard Solo Across the English ChannelInge Huijbrechts
Chief Sustainability & Security Officer at Radisson Hotel Group & Leader of the Award-Winning ‘Think Planet’ InitiativeDamon Carson
Leading Innovator in the field of Sustainability & President & Founder of repurposeMATERIALSSustainable innovation is the practice of making intentional changes to products and services, that in the long term have an impact both socially and environmentally – whilst also having economic benefits for a company. Sustainable innovation can involve developing novel products or changing operational processes to ones that prioritise sustainability – such as reducing waste or emissions. With 38% of executives already acknowledging that sustainability is a top priority and 86% of organisations having a sustainability strategy in place, now is the time to act and prioritise innovation in sustainability today.
What are Examples of Sustainable Innovation?
- Public electric transport – Public transport has been innovated to have a sustainable and environmental impact, through the use of electric vehicles. Such transport is better for the environment as it reduces the emissions being generated, such as CO2 and NOx.
- Plastic recycling – The plastic industry has encouraged sustainable innovation through recycling, moving away from their ‘take, make and dispose’ methods to ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’. By innovating their processes to include recycling, they are helping contribute to a circular economy.
- Bio-fuel – Companies have innovated their processes by turning waste products into biofuels, such as the company Bio-bean which has turned their waste coffee into fuel to help power London double-decker buses.
How Can I Achieve Sustainable Innovation?
Ultimately, to achieve sustainable innovation you must innovate your services and processes whilst having a positive impact on the environment. This can be achieved by:
- Reducing the use of natural resources in manufacturing and distribution processes
- Reducing the production of waste
- Introducing the opportunity to reuse and recycle products
- Using more efficient and environmentally friendly packaging
Source: Network for Business Sustainability, Forbes, IBM Institute for Business Value & McKinsey
