### Innovation has become an absolute necessity for companies in the modern world.

Innovation has already led to significant successes in ecological transformation, but it also has its limits and biases.

For true ecological transformation, it seems necessary to promote "right techs" and take into account criteria such as positive impact, affordability and speed of implementation of innovative solutions. It is also important to analyze the entire life cycle of solutions, to encourage "creative dissent" and to create ecosystems conducive to innovation.

This review explores new ways of putting innovation at the service of ecological transformation.



 

 

 



### Discover:

- [The foreword of Philippe Kourilsky](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2023/11/Veolia_FACTS_25_2023_GB_Web_Interactif_V3%20%281%29-4.pdf), Member of the Veolia Institute's Foresight Committee
- [​Introduction of Nicolas Renard](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2023/11/Veolia_FACTS_25_2023_GB_Web_Interactif_V3%20%281%29-5.pdf), Executive Director of the Veolia Institute

[Read the full pdf of the review ](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2023/11/Veolia_FACTS_25_2023_GB_Web_Interactif_V3%20%281%29.pdf)

 



 

 

 



 

 

    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/default/public/image/2023/11/Veolia_FACTS_25_2023_GB_Web_Interactif_V3%20%281%29-1_page-0001.jpg.webp?itok=CKLnjmM5)   





 

 

 



 

 

 

 





### 1. What is innovation for ecological transformation?



 

 

 



The nature of innovation is only one aspect of our understanding that should change in support of ecological transformation. We must also consider where innovation comes from, and what outcomes it supports for which people.



 

 

 



 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/shutterstock_2262698451.jpg.webp?itok=Di8KC6n4)   



 ](/en/metamorphoses-innovation-systemic-intensive-and-responsible "The metamorphoses of innovation: systemic, intensive and responsible") 

 Understanding 

 [The metamorphoses of innovation: systemic, intensive and responsible](/en/metamorphoses-innovation-systemic-intensive-and-responsible "The metamorphoses of innovation: systemic, intensive and responsible") 

 Armand Hatchuel  
 MINES Paris-PSL 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/metamorphoses-innovation-systemic-intensive-and-responsible "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/shutterstock_1644867832.jpg.webp?itok=ceKswrgI)   



 ](/en/ecological-transformation-pathways-frugal-and-responsible-innovation-0 "Ecological transformation: pathways to frugal and responsible innovation") 

 Understanding 

 [Ecological transformation: pathways to frugal and responsible innovation](/en/ecological-transformation-pathways-frugal-and-responsible-innovation-0 "Ecological transformation: pathways to frugal and responsible innovation") 

 Franck Aggeri  
 MINES Paris-PSL 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/ecological-transformation-pathways-frugal-and-responsible-innovation-0 "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/shutterstock_388622929%20V2.jpg.webp?itok=PVD1HsiP)   



 ](/en/technological-innovation-only-path-future-circular-economy "Is technological innovation the only path to the future of the circular economy?") 

 Understanding 

 [Is technological innovation the only path to the future of the circular economy?](/en/technological-innovation-only-path-future-circular-economy "Is technological innovation the only path to the future of the circular economy?") 

 Jean-Paul Raillard  
 Fédération Envie 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/technological-innovation-only-path-future-circular-economy "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/shutterstock_2282803459.jpg.webp?itok=JDxM8oIn)   



 ](/en/olympic-games-social-and-environmental-innovation "The Olympic Games: social and environmental innovation") 

 Understanding 

 [The Olympic Games: social and environmental innovation](/en/olympic-games-social-and-environmental-innovation "The Olympic Games: social and environmental innovation") 

 Olivier Gilbert  
 Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/olympic-games-social-and-environmental-innovation "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/shutterstock_1983388574.jpg.webp?itok=tibQtW9z)   



 ](/en/frugal-innovation-ecological-transformation-way-forward "Frugal innovation for ecological transformation - a way forward?") 

 Understanding 

 [Frugal innovation for ecological transformation - a way forward?](/en/frugal-innovation-ecological-transformation-way-forward "Frugal innovation for ecological transformation - a way forward?") 

 Saradindu Bhaduri  
 Jawaharlal Nehru University 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/frugal-innovation-ecological-transformation-way-forward "Read more") 





 

 



 

 

 





### 2. Implementing innovation for ecological transformation



 

 

 



Many examples illustrate the potential of human ingenuity to address the challenges we face, and the progress being made across all sectors. At the same time, there are also significant challenges to be overcome, not least how to rapidly scale and spread these innovations to meet the scale of the challenges we face.



 

 

 



 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/shutterstock_2296330801.jpg.webp?itok=MfIs-i-P)   



 ](/en/unpacking-natures-value "Unpacking nature’s value") 

 Implementing 

 [Unpacking nature’s value](/en/unpacking-natures-value "Unpacking nature’s value") 

 Mahima Sukhdev, Snehal Bhosale, Anupam Ravi, Aromi Salot  
 GIST Impact 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/unpacking-natures-value "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/Copie%20de%203697.jpg.webp?itok=GUhz6FxX)   



 ](/en/can-built-environment-function-nature "Can the built environment function like nature?") 

 Implementing 

 [Can the built environment function like nature?](/en/can-built-environment-function-nature "Can the built environment function like nature?") 

 Dr. Dayna Baumeister, Nicole Miller  
 Biomimicry 3.8 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/can-built-environment-function-nature "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/11/shutterstock_1528594955.jpg.webp?itok=X0mQoqi_)   



 ](/en/cities-catalysts-and-laboratories-ecological-transformation "Cities as catalysts and laboratories for ecological transformation") 

 Implementing 

 [Cities as catalysts and laboratories for ecological transformation](/en/cities-catalysts-and-laboratories-ecological-transformation "Cities as catalysts and laboratories for ecological transformation") 

 Luise Fischer, Francesca Rizzo, Adriana O’Phelan, Anthony Zacharzewski, Andrea Gabaldon Moreno, and Carla Rodríguez Alonso  
 NetZeroCities 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/cities-catalysts-and-laboratories-ecological-transformation "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/Vig_ileo%203_0.jpg.webp?itok=wd8nUPxx)   



 ](/en/how-innovative-solutions-help-veolia-drive-ecological-transformation-its-stakeholders "How innovative solutions help Veolia to drive ecological transformation with its stakeholders") 

 Implementing 

 [How innovative solutions help Veolia to drive ecological transformation with its stakeholders](/en/how-innovative-solutions-help-veolia-drive-ecological-transformation-its-stakeholders "How innovative solutions help Veolia to drive ecological transformation with its stakeholders") 

 Catherine Ricou  
 Veolia 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/how-innovative-solutions-help-veolia-drive-ecological-transformation-its-stakeholders "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/shutterstock_1780542302_0.jpg.webp?itok=-eyDWOT4)   



 ](/en/role-state-environmental-services-innovations "The role of the state in environmental services innovations") 

 Implementing 

 [The role of the state in environmental services innovations](/en/role-state-environmental-services-innovations "The role of the state in environmental services innovations") 

 Henri Boyé  
 Energy and water consultant 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/role-state-environmental-services-innovations "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/AdobeStock_199559225%20copy%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=aPG_1OiB)   



 ](/en/mobilising-large-scale-capital-equitably-across-borders-accelerate-impact "Mobilising large-scale capital equitably across borders to accelerate impact") 

 Implementing 

 [Mobilising large-scale capital equitably across borders to accelerate impact](/en/mobilising-large-scale-capital-equitably-across-borders-accelerate-impact "Mobilising large-scale capital equitably across borders to accelerate impact") 

 Ellen Martin, Amandine Joy  
 Circulate Capital 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/mobilising-large-scale-capital-equitably-across-borders-accelerate-impact "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2024/04/Screenshot%202024-04-15%2010.53.55_1.png.webp?itok=HOWFDJ8v)   



 ](/en/urban-rigger-and-floating-city-solutions-ecological-transformation "Urban rigger and floating city solutions for ecological transformation") 

  

 [Urban rigger and floating city solutions for ecological transformation](/en/urban-rigger-and-floating-city-solutions-ecological-transformation "Urban rigger and floating city solutions for ecological transformation") 

 Anna Rosa Rylander, General Manager at Urban Rigger  
 Signe Ryborg, Head of Communications at Urban Rigger 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/urban-rigger-and-floating-city-solutions-ecological-transformation "Read more") 





 

 



 

 

 





### 3. Innovation levers for ecological transformation



 

 

 



Innovation relies on new ideas and innovators. But the success of innovation also depends on wider levers of change including economic, legal, and social factors.



 

 

 



 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/Copie%20de%205707718225_2f3352ef24_o.jpg.webp?itok=E99SLp5G)   



 ](/en/deploying-business-ecosystems-cope-ecological-transformation "Deploying business ecosystems to cope with ecological transformation") 

 Deploying 

 [Deploying business ecosystems to cope with ecological transformation](/en/deploying-business-ecosystems-cope-ecological-transformation "Deploying business ecosystems to cope with ecological transformation") 

 Arnoud De Meyer  
 Singapore Management University 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/deploying-business-ecosystems-cope-ecological-transformation "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/shutterstock_97446308.jpg.webp?itok=6glWg3RS)   



 ](/en/water-innovation-and-ecological-transformation-entrepreneurial-approaches-advancing-sustainable "Water innovation and ecological transformation: entrepreneurial approaches to advancing sustainable solutions") 

 Deploying 

 [Water innovation and ecological transformation: entrepreneurial approaches to advancing sustainable solutions](/en/water-innovation-and-ecological-transformation-entrepreneurial-approaches-advancing-sustainable "Water innovation and ecological transformation: entrepreneurial approaches to advancing sustainable solutions") 

 Scott Bryan  
 Imagine H2O 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/water-innovation-and-ecological-transformation-entrepreneurial-approaches-advancing-sustainable "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/shutterstock_1288634608.jpg.webp?itok=uPG66ATY)   



 ](/en/understanding-systemic-change "Understanding systemic change") 

 Deploying 

 [Understanding systemic change](/en/understanding-systemic-change "Understanding systemic change") 

 Andrea Bina, Simon Cooper  
 UNDP 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/understanding-systemic-change "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/Copie%20de%2035991498376_123ea97dbc_o.jpg.webp?itok=i-Q4_9jO)   



 ](/en/dont-look-what-skills-ecological-transformation "Don’t look up: what skills for ecological transformation?") 

 Deploying 

 [Don’t look up: what skills for ecological transformation?](/en/dont-look-what-skills-ecological-transformation "Don’t look up: what skills for ecological transformation?") 

 Andreas Schleicher  
 OECD 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/dont-look-what-skills-ecological-transformation "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/shutterstock_353531531.jpg.webp?itok=C4Eu_CtF)   



 ](/en/applying-climate-psychology-principles-and-methods-work-leading-ecological-transformation "Applying climate psychology principles and methods to the work of leading ecological transformation") 

 Deploying 

 [Applying climate psychology principles and methods to the work of leading ecological transformation](/en/applying-climate-psychology-principles-and-methods-work-leading-ecological-transformation "Applying climate psychology principles and methods to the work of leading ecological transformation") 

 Renée Lertzman  
 Psychological advisor 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/applying-climate-psychology-principles-and-methods-work-leading-ecological-transformation "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [    ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/12/shutterstock_1723070488.jpg.webp?itok=s9d_ytUb)   



 ](/en/regenerative-leadership "Regenerative leadership") 

 Deploying 

 [Regenerative leadership](/en/regenerative-leadership "Regenerative leadership") 

 Emmanuelle Aoustin  
 Seedlings 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/regenerative-leadership "Read more") 





 

 



 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2023/11/Copie%20de%202019-07_Campus-photos-src_HLeclerc.jpg.webp?itok=WXHMR8Wg)   



 ](/en/what-skills-and-mindsets-are-essential-empowering-innovation-ecological-transformation "What skills and mindsets are essential for empowering innovation for ecological transformation?") 

 Deploying 

 [What skills and mindsets are essential for empowering innovation for ecological transformation?](/en/what-skills-and-mindsets-are-essential-empowering-innovation-ecological-transformation "What skills and mindsets are essential for empowering innovation for ecological transformation?") 

 Cécile Renouard  
 Campus de la Transition 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/what-skills-and-mindsets-are-essential-empowering-innovation-ecological-transformation "Read more") 





 

 



 

 Déployer 

 [INNER DEVELOPMENT GOALS: FROM INNER GROWTH TO OUTER CHANGE](/en/inner-development-goals-inner-growth-outer-change "INNER DEVELOPMENT GOALS: FROM INNER GROWTH TO OUTER CHANGE") 

 Doreen Ankrah (Marketing Coordinator),   
 Jamie Bristow (Policy and Advocacy),   
 Daniel Hires (Director of Partnerships and Marketing)   
 Jan Artem Henriksson (Executive Director) 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read more](/en/inner-development-goals-inner-growth-outer-change "Read more")