Environmental sustainability and technological innovation: pathways to eco-innovation

Abstract

This article aims to outline the panorama of technological innovation as fundamental for environmental sustainability and how sustainable development relates to innovation, through qualitative methodology and empirical and analytical bibliographic review focused on the analysis of concepts. Due to the growing concern for environmental balance, society and industries seek alternatives to become more sustainable and continue their business activities in a way that causes the least possible impact on the environment. One of the ways to achieve more ecological practices is through eco-innovation. The doctrine was examined to analyze how the intersection of innovation with sustainability led to the emergence of the concept of eco-innovation. It was concluded that altering processes, production methods, management or marketing practices, for whatever reason, can result in more ecologically balanced practices. However, it is not only sustainability-focused production that will halt or reverse environmental problems. If society does not commit to adopting less consumeristic practices or does not act towards more conscious consumption, even if industries reach optimal levels of exploitation and products have life cycles integrated with nature, natural resources will suffer the consequences.