What Is Responsible Innovation?
Wondering how to lower the footprint of your business? Responsible Innovation is the answer. It’s all about transforming products or services to create shared value for everyone involved—customers, employees, communities, and the planet. A truly sustainable company “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland Commission, 1987). This approach puts sustainability right at the heart of business strategy, blending financial success with social and environmental responsibility.
Main Benefits of Responsible Innovation
Responsible Innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a game changer. Here’s why it matters:
- Captures new business opportunities while mitigating operational risks
- Supports climate action by helping reduce scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions
- Contributes to biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration
- Addresses water preservation concerns amid growing scarcity
- Ensures respect for human rights across complex supply chains
- Promotes living wages for all workers throughout the value chain
- Improves air quality, occupational health & safety, waste management, traceability, diversity, and inclusion
Climate Action and Business Resilience
Looking for ways to help your customers cut down their carbon footprint? Responsible Innovation offers practical tools like greenhouse gas inventories and lifecycle assessments to track and reduce emissions. It’s about more than compliance—it’s about future-proofing your business in a world that’s waking up to climate realities. Taking action now means staying ahead of regulations and meeting growing consumer demand for greener products.
Biodiversity and Water Preservation
Not sure how your business fits into the bigger picture of ecosystem health? Biodiversity protection and water preservation are crucial. Responsible Innovation encourages companies to review ecosystem services and adopt circular business models that reduce waste and resource use. Water scarcity isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a business risk that can disrupt operations if ignored. Taking steps to preserve water resources safeguards both nature and your bottom line.
Human Rights and Living Wages in the Supply Chain
Struggling to confirm human rights are respected everywhere inside your complex supply chain? Responsible Innovation helps companies conduct human rights due diligence and ensure living wages for all workers. It’s about transparency, fairness, and building trust with consumers who care deeply about ethical sourcing. When workers thrive, businesses thrive—simple as that.
Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
How to Get Started with Responsible Innovation
There’s no one-size-fits-all here. Different companies have different needs, so the journey is tailored—“à la carte,” if you will. It starts with introduction training to get everyone on the same page. Then comes discovery consulting to assess where the company stands and identify priorities. Next up is acceleration service, where ideas turn into concrete plans through collaboration and deep dives. Execution support helps carry out those plans without losing momentum. Finally, accreditation advice ensures all the hard work gets recognized—whether through certifications, sustainability reports, or authentic marketing that avoids greenwashing. It’s a step-by-step path to balancing financial prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
