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Traditional, linear business thinking won’t solve social and environmental issues. Executives need systems thinking.
Sustainable Innovation
Innovation is vital for a company’s survival and growth. Firms that don’t innovate fall behind their competitors and ultimately go out of business.
However, traditional forms of innovation may be harmful for employees or over-exploit natural resources. “Sustainable innovation” aims to address those unintended social and environmental impacts. It involves changing a company’s products, services or processes to produce long-term social and environmental benefits while creating economic profits for the firm.
That approach can produce real benefits for businesses. For example, research shows that companies that consider stakeholders produce more patents.
NBS can guide you on the sustainable innovation journey. We have a host of resources, from case studies and examples to step-by-step guides. This page aims to help you navigate them by connecting articles to key questions – taking you on a knowledge journey through implementing sustainable innovation.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, try the search bar, resource library, or contacting NBS.
And, check out our partner organization, led by NBS Founder Tima Bansal: Innovation North.
Table of Contents
What is Sustainable Innovation?
Explore the fundamentals of sustainable innovation and learn how to integrate business practices that prioritize both sustainability and profitability.
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By building sustainability into innovation, companies can create products, services, and processes that are good for both society and the organization.
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Based on decades of top academic and industry research, this small business guide answers the question: How can companies innovate to become sustainable?
How to Implement Sustainable Innovation
Get practical guidance on embedding sustainability into your organization’s innovation efforts—from reshaping your organizational structure to leveraging digital solutions.
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Innovation North’s Compass helps businesses innovate for a better future. It’s a practical guide to positive change.
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When society shifts toward sustainability, firms should be proactive. Adapt your business model and help shape the coming change.
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Taking your big idea to implementation requires vision, openness, and partnerships. Experts advise on reaching your goals — and managing the consequences
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Sustainability challenges are urgent. Can solutions come quickly? The answer depends on the reach and radicalness of the innovation.
Sustainable Innovation in Action
Businesses may face roadblocks within the sustainable innovation journey. Learn from case studies of how real companies are tackling sustainability challenges through innovation while addressing regulatory hurdles and stakeholder backlash.
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Brands are increasingly held responsible for their suppliers’ social and environmental actions. Blockchain can create supply chain transparency.
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Digital tools like blockchain, sensors and drones can revolutionize sustainability, entrepreneurs say. But it all starts with the business model.
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Innovation is the key to reducing fossil fuel emissions. A study of the oil sands identifies two paths forward.
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Activist pressure led to a new direction in PVC packaging in Europe. “Greenpeace forced us into partnership kicking and screaming, but Greenpeace has done us a lot of good.”
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When AGL Energy shifted from coal to renewables, politicians attacked. Here's why firms must engage stakeholders in high-stakes environmental decisions.
Collaborating for Sustainable Innovation
Collaboration can be a powerful tool for sustainable innovation. Learn how new ideas can emerge from innovative partnerships that bring in diverse perspectives.
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A long-term alliance shows how businesses can partner with NGOs to improve social impact and find new market opportunities.
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Partnerships can let you unlock unseen potential. In a frank exchange, experts discuss how to get the most out of unlikely alliances.
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Look outside the R&D lab for innovation success. Your stakeholders can help you develop product and service solutions to sustainability problems.
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Canada’s oil sands companies are collaborating to improve environmental impact. Gordon Lambert (Suncor) describes how a competitive industry came together.
Innovative Approaches to Sustainability Communication
Innovative communication strategies, such as dialogue, music and storytelling, are changing how sustainability initiatives are shared and embraced by the public.
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Meaningful sustainability action requires linking facts and emotion. At the 2023 Ivey-ARCS PhD Sustainability Academy, music offered that bridge.
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Sustainability jobs can be emotionally challenging. Can music help us keep going?
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Working across sectors, the Institute for Energy and Sustainability uses a diverse communication toolbox to share knowledge and connect partners.
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Businesses can lead and participate in societal discussions of complex, uncertain issues. NBS research presents a decision tree to guide your choice.
Partner with NBS to grow our resources on this topic.
Filter Our Resources
All Sustainable Innovation Resources
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Here’s how Arla Foods is taking realistic action now, while planning for radical future change.
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When native fish disappeared in thousands of lakes across Finland, local fishers used business to turn things around.
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Sustainability challenges are urgent. Can solutions come quickly? The answer depends on the reach and radicalness of the innovation.
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The “Degrowth” and “Post-Growth” movements imagine a world with new goals beyond profit. What does this mean for business?