Top 10: Sustainability Innovations

As global populations surge, Earth's resources face mounting pressure.

Eco-friendly breakthroughs provide solutions to lessen humanity's environmental footprint and safeguard our planet from ongoing harm.

Every industry must contribute to reducing ecological damage, making innovations crucial across the board – annually, about US$1.3tn is invested in climate-related initiatives.

Embracing and expanding novel sustainable technologies can generate employment, enhance public health and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

We've ranked 10 of the top sustainability innovations helping industries lower their carbon output and progress towards carbon neutrality.

10. Precision agriculture 

Top benefit: Reduce land and water use
Key businesses: Deere & Co, AGCO, Agrosmart

Precision agriculture (PA) employs advanced technologies to manage crop production by monitoring and responding to factors such as soil conditions, weather patterns and spatial variability.

Farmers utilise GPS, satellite positioning and IoT devices to create detailed field maps and gather real-time data.

AI-driven systems and connected sensors have also enhanced data analytics for more precise resource management.

By improving farming efficiency, PA reduces land, water and chemical inputs required for food production, significantly lowering agriculture's environmental footprint.

John Deere manufactures PA machinery that aids farmers in adopting sustainable practices. 

John May, Chairman and CEO of John Deere, says: “Our Leap Ambitions focus on delivering exceptional financial and sustainable outcomes for our customers and shareholders.”

9. Green building materials 

Top benefit: Reduce deforestation
​​​​​​​Key businesses: Mykor, TileGreen, StoneCoat

Green building materials offer eco-friendly alternatives to traditional options like concrete or timber, minimising construction's environmental footprint.

While humans have used wood for millennia, rapid population growth necessitates swift construction, often leading to excessive deforestation.

Responsibly harvested and locally sourced timber - and particularly reclaimed wood - presents a low environmental impact option.

The construction industry is increasingly incorporating recycled materials, such as quarry waste rock, rubber-infused concrete from tires and plant-based insulation.

Mykor produces insulation made of mycelium that considers both planet and human health.

Olivia Page, Co-Founder and CEO of Mykor says: “We aim to decarbonise the industry by manufacturing carbon negative materials.”

8. Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU)

Top benefit: Reduce emissions
​​​​​​​Key businesses: CarbonFree, CarbFix, Shell

CCU technologies can intercept CO₂ emissions before they reach the atmosphere, mitigating their environmental impact.

The captured CO₂ finds new life in various applications, including the production of synthetic fuels, chemicals and construction materials.

This process not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also supports the circular carbon economy.

Huibert Vigeveno, Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions Director at Shell, says: “Carbon capture and storage is a key technology to achieve the Paris Agreement climate goals.”

7. Smart grids and energy management systems 

Top benefit: Reduce energy consumption
​​​​​​​Key businesses: Siemens, IBM, Cisco

Smart grids and energy management systems leverage data to optimise electricity distribution and consumption, revolutionising the power sector.

Smart grids employ advanced digital technologies for real-time monitoring and control of energy flows.

This data-driven approach enhances grid efficiency, reliability and integration of renewable energy sources.

The system's ability to detect and manage disruptions autonomously minimises downtime and operational expenses.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has launched Electrification X, a suite of IoT-based applications designed to transform electrification infrastructure.

This scalable SaaS offering aims to improve productivity, reliability and energy efficiency for various stakeholders in the energy sector.

Michael Weinhold, Chief Technology Officer at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, says: “If we want to use more electricity from renewable sources, we need greater flexibility in the energy system.”

6. Biodegradable packaging

Top benefit: Reduce waste
​​​​​​​Key businesses: Tetra Pak, Ball Corporation, Mondi PLC

Biodegradable packaging utilises natural materials such as plant starches, cellulose and bioplastics that naturally decompose in the environment.

Unlike conventional plastic packaging derived from fossil fuels, which persists for centuries, biodegradable alternatives offer a more sustainable solution.

These eco-friendly materials significantly reduce plastic waste and minimise pollution associated with traditional manufacturing processes.

As they break down into non-toxic components, biodegradable packaging reduces landfill burden and prevents harmful chemicals from entering ecosystems.

Mondi offers a broad range of packaging and paper solutions, including Sustainex biodegradable packaging.

Andrew King, CEO of Mondi Group, says: “We are making good progress on our commitments in most areas.

“There’s a lot of excitement about the opportunities that sustainable growth can bring and we know that we are only going to succeed if sustainability is truly embedded throughout our organisation.”

5. Water purification technologies

Top benefit: Access to clean water
​​​​​​​Key businesses: Ecolab, GE Water, Veolia

Water purification technologies eliminate contaminants from water, ensuring its safety for consumption and use.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than two billion people lack access to safe drinking water, representing one-third of the global population.

Innovative solutions such as reverse osmosis, UV filtration and AI-driven water conservation systems are enhancing access to clean, safe water.

WHO estimates that waterborne diseases claim approximately one million lives annually, so it is vital to increase freshwater availability and develop portable purification solutions for global health.

Ecolab offers comprehensive solutions for water conservation, quality and management.

The company has collaborated with Digital Realty to implement an AI-powered water conservation solution in 35 US data centers, aiming to reduce water use by up to 15% and avoid withdrawing 126 million gallons of potable water annually.

Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab, says: "Water stewardship and sustainable business growth must go hand in hand."

4. Blockchain for supply chain transparency

Top benefit: Secure supply chain transparency
​​​​​​​Key businesses: IBM, AWS, Concordium

Blockchain technology functions as a decentralised digital ledger, recording transactions across multiple computers to ensure data integrity and transparency.

In supply chain management, blockchain provides a tamper-proof record of each step, allowing companies and consumers to verify product origins, ethical practices and sustainability credentials.

This transparency helps combat issues like greenwashing and promotes accountability throughout the supply chain.

Concordium uses blockchain technology to enhance the credibility of ESG through a trusted, secure and transparent platform. 

Maria Eisner Pelch, ESG and Sustainability Lead at Concordium, says: “The time to prioritise ESG is now but fears of greenwashing accusations are prevalent. 

“Blockchain serves as the best chance for companies to create seamless, transparent and green applications.”

3. Vertical farming 

Top benefit: Reduce land and water use
​​​​​​​Key businesses: AeroFarms, Jones Food Company, Bowery Farming

Vertical farming is an innovative agricultural technique that grows crops in vertically stacked layers using hydroponics, aeroponics and optimised LED lighting, often without soil.

This method significantly reduces land and water requirements compared to traditional farming, as water can be recirculated and plants receive precise nutrition.

The controlled environment of vertical farms also eliminates the need for pesticides.

Vertical farming addresses several sustainability challenges, including land scarcity, water conservation and food security in urban areas.

Its ability to produce crops year-round, regardless of external weather conditions, offers a resilient solution to climate change-related agricultural disruptions.

Online grocer Ocado has invested in vertical farming business Jones Food Company. This strategic investment aligns with Ocado's commitment to sustainable food production and distribution.

Stephen Daintith, Chief Financial Officer at Ocado, says: "At Ocado Group, we are passionate about the long-term potential of vertical farming for both the food industry and for the environment."

2. Circular economy practices

Top benefit: Reduce waste
​​​​​​​Key businesses: PepsiCo, Patagonia, IKEA 

Circular economy practices aim to maximise product lifespan, minimise waste and optimise resource utilisation.

This economic model emphasises sharing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products.

In contrast to the traditional linear economy's take-make-dispose approach, circular economy strategies extend product lifecycles, reducing raw material consumption and carbon emissions.

PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company and Starbucks, among others, tested reusable cups across the city of Petaluma, California in a circular economy trial. 

Jim Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo, says: “Scaling reuse requires a full range of players to come together to transform how people buy, consume and dispose of products in a very different way than they are used to.”

1. Renewable energy technologies 

Top benefit: Reduce CO₂ emissions

Key businesses: GE Vernova, NextEra Energy, Iberdrola 

Renewable energy technologies harness natural processes to generate power from sustainable sources like sunlight, wind, water and biomass.

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity through photovoltaic cells or heat water using solar thermal systems.

Wind turbines utilise wind's kinetic energy for power generation, while hydropower plants leverage flowing water to produce electricity. Biomass energy is derived from organic materials, either burned directly or converted into biofuels.

Transitioning to renewable energy sources reduces dependence on finite resources and supports a clean, resilient power system. This shift is crucial for addressing climate change and ensuring long-term energy security.

GE Vernova is recognised for its significant innovations in power and renewable energy.

Its technology base generates around 25% of the world’s electricity, playing a meaningful role in the energy transition.

Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova says the company is “working alongside customers to electrify and decarbonise the electric power sector while delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity to the world".

It adds: “The energy transition is the next investment supercycle.”

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