Sustainable innovation is a process where sustainability considerations (environmental, social, financial) are integrated into product development systems from idea generation through to research and development (R&D) and commercialisation.
products and services or processes driven by social, environmental or sustainability issues.’
Definition
Sustainable innovation is a process where sustainability considerations (environmental, social, financial) are integrated into company systems from idea generation through to research and development (R&D) and commercialization. This applies to products, services and technologies, as well as new business and organization models.
Four Levels
Sustainable innovation has been defined as covering the spectrum of levels of innovation from incremental to radical. Whilst there are no absolute or quantifiable definitions and boundaries, four main levels of innovation can be defined in the context of environmental improvement:
- Level 1 (incremental): Incremental or small, progressive improvements to existing products
- Level 2 (re-design or ‘green limits’): Major re-design of existing products (but limited the level of improvement that is technically feasible).
- Level 3 (functional or ‘product alternatives’): New product or service concepts to satisfy the same functional need e.g. teleconferencing as an alternative to travel
- Level 4 (systems): Design for a sustainable society
The primary focus and aim of sustainable innovation is on higher levels of innovation which may contribute to
significant or ‘Factor X’ reductions in environmental impacts.
© Martin Charter, Director of The Centre for Sustainable Design (2007)
Working with B.S.I. to introduce new Food Operation and Food Service Standards
