The Path to Sustainability-Driven Innovation

Resource Type
RTM Publication
Publish Date
04/25/2016
Authors
Phil Metz, Susan Burek, Tawnya R. Hultgren, Sam Kogan, Lawrence Schwartz
Topics
Enhance Sustainability, Improve the Innovation Pipeline, Improving the innovation pipeline, Enhancing sustainability
Associated Event
Publication

Many companies see environmental sustainability as a cost—a legal and social obligation requiring investments that may never be recovered—rather than as an opportunity. However, environmental sustainability can be the foundation for increasing competitive advantage and creating business value, and it can be the basis for effective innovation. This is sustainability-driven innovation, an innovation approach that leverages environmental sustainability to drive superior business results. A study of leaders in sustainability-driven innovation suggests some best practices: inculcate a sustainability mindset, set high standards for sustainability performance, deliberately search for sustainability-based opportunities.