The main innovations in sustainability that provide climate solutions include renewable energy technology, circular economy practices, and vertical farming.
As the global population continues to grow, there is increasing pressure on the planet’s natural resources.
Sustainability innovations offer ways to mitigate human environmental impact and protect the planet from further damage.
All sectors play a role in reducing environmental harm, making innovations important across industries. Every year, around $1.3 trillion is spent on climate-related investments.
Adopting and scaling new sustainable innovations can create jobs, improve human health, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We have ranked 10 of the best sustainability innovations that help industries reduce emissions and work towards net zero.
10. Precision Agriculture
Main benefit: Reducing land and water usage
Key companies: Deere & Co, AGCO, Agrosmart
Precision agriculture (PA) is used to manage crop and livestock production by observing, measuring, and responding to factors such as temperature and spatial variability.
Farmers use GPS and satellite positioning to create precise maps of measurable variables. More recently, agricultural drones capture field images using multispectral cameras to build accurate field maps.
Making agriculture more efficient reduces the amount of land and resources needed for food production, thereby decreasing environmental impact.
John Deere produces PA machinery that helps farmers become more sustainable.
John May, Chairman and CEO of John Deere, states: “Our Leap ambitions focus on delivering exceptional financial and sustainable outcomes for our customers and shareholders.”
9. Eco-Friendly Building Materials
Main benefit: Reducing deforestation
Key companies: Mykor, TileGreen, StoneCoat
Eco-friendly building materials are more sustainable alternatives to traditional materials like concrete and wood, reducing construction’s environmental impact.
Humans have built with wood for around 500,000 years, but as the population rapidly grows, more buildings are needed, leading to deforestation. Sustainably sourced, locally grown wood—and even better, reclaimed wood—has a lower environmental impact.
More recycled materials are being used in construction, such as quarry waste, tire rubber concrete, and plant fiber insulation.
Mykor produces mycelium-based insulation that considers both planetary and human health.
Olivia Page, Co-founder and CEO of Mykor, says: “Our goal is to decarbonize the industry by manufacturing materials with a negative carbon footprint.”
8. Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU)
Main benefit: Reducing emissions
CCU technologies involve capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions before they enter the atmosphere and cause environmental damage.
Captured CO2 can be reused for valuable applications, such as synthetic fuel production, chemicals, and building materials.
By converting potentially harmful CO2 into useful products, CCU helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and supports the development of a circular carbon economy.
Huibert Vigeveno, Downstream, Renewables, and Energy Solutions Director at Shell, states: “Carbon capture and storage is a key technology for meeting the climate goals of the Paris Agreement.”
7. Smart Grids and Energy Management Systems
Main benefit: Reducing energy consumption
Key companies: Siemens, IBM, Cisco
Smart grids and energy management systems optimize electricity distribution and consumption using data.
Smart grids use digital technology to monitor and manage energy flows. This data improves efficiency and reliability.
Energy management systems allow consumers to track and control their energy use in real time, increasing energy savings and reducing waste.
Michael Weinhold, Chief Technology Officer at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, states: “If we want to use more electricity from renewable sources, we need greater flexibility in the energy system.”
6. Biodegradable Packaging
Main benefit: Reducing waste
Key companies: Tetra Pak, Ball Corporation, Mondi PLC
Biodegradable packaging is made from natural materials like plant-based starches, cellulose, and bioplastics that naturally decompose in the environment. In contrast, most plastic packaging is made from fossil fuels and does not degrade for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Biodegradable materials reduce plastic waste and minimize pollution from material manufacturing.
Biodegradable packaging breaks down into non-toxic components, reducing landfill waste and preventing harmful chemicals from entering the environment.
Mondi offers a range of packaging and paper solutions, including biodegradable Sustainex packaging.
Andrew King, CEO of Mondi Group, states: “We are making good progress on our commitments in most areas. There is great enthusiasm for the opportunities that sustainable growth can bring, and we know that we will only succeed if sustainability is truly embedded throughout our organization.”
5. Water Purification Technologies
Main benefit: Providing access to clean water
Key companies: Ecolab, GE Water, Veolia
Water purification technologies remove contaminants from water, making it safe for drinking and use. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than two billion people lack access to safe drinking water—one in three people worldwide.
Technologies such as reverse osmosis and ultraviolet filtration provide access to safe drinking water. WHO estimates that around one million people die each year from waterborne diseases, so increasing the availability of fresh water and innovating portable solutions could have a huge impact on human health.
Ecolab provides solutions for water conservation, quality, and management.
Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab, states: “Water stewardship and sustainable business growth must go hand in hand.”
4. Blockchain for Supply Chain Transparency
Main benefit: Secure transparency in the supply chain
Key companies: IBM, AWS, Concordium
Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that records transactions across multiple computers, ensuring data integrity and transparency.
It can be used for supply chain transparency by providing a tamper-proof record of every step in the supply chain. This allows businesses and consumers to verify product origins, ethical practices, and sustainability credentials.
Concordium uses blockchain technology to enhance ESG credibility through a trustworthy, secure, and transparent platform.
Maria Eisner Pelch, Head of ESG and Sustainability at Concordium, states: “It’s time to prioritize ESG criteria, but fears of greenwashing accusations persist. Blockchain is the best opportunity for companies to create integrated, transparent, and eco-friendly applications.”
3. Vertical Farming
Main benefit: Reducing land and water usage
Key companies: AeroFarms, Jones Food Company, Bowery Farming
Vertical farming is a method of growing crops in vertically stacked layers using hydroponics, aeroponics, and optimized LED lighting, often without soil.
This significantly reduces the need for land and water compared to traditional farming, as water can be recirculated, and plants receive precise nutrition.
Due to controlled conditions, vertical farming also eliminates the need for pesticides.
Online supermarket Ocado has invested in vertical farming business Jones Food Company.
Stephen Daintith, CFO of Ocado, states: “At Ocado Group, we are passionate about the long-term potential of vertical farming for both the food industry and the environment.”
2. Circular Economy Practices
Main benefit: Reducing waste
Key companies: PepsiCo, Patagonia, IKEA
Circular economy practices aim to extend product lifespans, reduce waste, and use resources more efficiently. In a circular economy, items are shared, reused, repaired, refurbished, and recycled.
Traditional linear economies produce, distribute, and discard items after use.
Circular economy practices not only reduce waste but also lower raw material consumption and carbon emissions.
PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, and Starbucks are testing reusable cups in Petaluma, California, in a circular economy trial.
Jim Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo, states: “Scaling reuse requires all players to come together to transform how people buy, consume, and dispose of products in a radically different way.”
1. Renewable Energy Technologies
Main Benefit: Reducing CO2 emissions
Key Businesses: GE Vernova, NextEra Energy, Iberdrola
Renewable energy technologies harness natural processes to generate energy from renewable sources such as sunlight, wind, water, and biomass.
Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity through photovoltaic cells or heat water using solar thermal systems. Wind turbines use the kinetic energy of the wind to generate power, while hydroelectric plants utilize the energy of moving water to produce electricity. Biomass energy is derived from organic materials that are either burned or converted into biofuels.
Transitioning to renewable energy sources will reduce dependence on finite resources and support a clean and resilient energy system.
GE Vernova is recognized for its significant innovations in electric and renewable energy.
Its technological base generates around 25% of the world’s electricity, playing a crucial role in the energy transition.
Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, states that the company is “working alongside customers to electrify and decarbonize the power sector while providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to the world.”
Among the notable sustainability innovations are conservation programs based on carbon credits, such as the one developed by Maderera Bozovich. This company is in the process of certification to issue credits under the REDD program, focused on reducing emissions from avoided deforestation.
Obtained and Translated by Sustainability Magazine.
