By 2030, all of our innovation projects will be aligned with our sustainability goals.
Analyse your existing innovation processes and systematically incorporate sustainability considerations and tools. Define sustainability requirements at the start of the project, take inspiration from sustainable role models during the idea generation phase and establish sustainability as one of the evaluation criteria for innovation projects. Work with partners who have an affinity for sustainability and regularly check whether your innovation actually solves a socially relevant problem and does not cause any unwanted side effects.
Build up the necessary sustainability expertise in your company at all hierarchical levels and across all functions. Work together with sustainability experts and treat sustainability in development processes as equally important as safety aspects. Keep up to date with the latest developments in sustainability and continuously adapt your requirements, processes, materials and partnerships.
Analyse the problem that you want to solve with your innovation and take time to fully understand the challenges, particularly with complex issues. Involve your target groups and customers in the innovation process and test your assumptions with targeted trials. Plan for iterations. Allow sufficient time for the market launch and form partnerships with representatives of your target groups.
Set impact-orientated goals right at the start of the project. What do you want to achieve with your innovations? What turnover are you aiming for? What social and ecological added value do you create? Make your goals transparent, define key performance indicators (KPIs) and report on your progress.
Every year, substantial investments are made in innovation projects in the hope of developing successful business models for the future. One crucial success factor is often overlooked: sustainability through a focus on positive ecological and social impact. It is therefore essential for companies in all sectors to define sustainable innovation as a standard and to focus their innovation efforts on it.
