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.
Mark Stevenson
Impact Board Chair at Climate VC, Co-Founder of CUR8, Author & Co-Host of "The FuturenautsJeremy Leggett
Founder & Former Director of Solarcentury, Founder & CEO of Highlands Rewilding, & AuthorAnna Turns
Senior Environment Editor at The Conservation UK, Science Communications Lead at CONTRAST, & AuthorThomas Kostigen
Award-Winning Author, Environmental Journalist & Sustainability AdvocateJoycelyn Longdon
Environmental Activist, University of Cambridge PhD Student & Founder of ClimateInColourJames Payne
Director, Purpose of Business at Forum for the Future, Regenerative Business Strategist & Former Sustainability Lead at Independents UnitedHannah Stitfall
Wildlife TV Presenter, Presenter of Award Winning Greenpeace Podcast, & Helping Rhinos AmbassadorLiz Bonnin
Wildlife Presenter, President of The Wildlife Trusts & Presenter of BBC Documentary "Drowning in Plastic"Zoe Le Grand
Managing Director, UK/Europe, Forum for the Future, Sustainability Leader, Speaker & Former Associate DirectorKhadeeja Balkhi
Founder & Director of Sustainability at Balkhi Strategy Group, Former Sustainability & Excellence Advisor at Ashghal, Board Director at Code for PakistanAudrey Barucchi
CEO & Co-Founder of People For Nature, Non Executive Director of The Water Well Project & Winner of the French-Australian Excellence Award in SustainabilityJennifer Turliuk
Practice Leader for Climate and Energy AI, Founder of MakerKids & Koru Labs, & IEEE Outreach Award WinnerSustainable 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
