As our natural resources continue to dwindle and the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent, individuals and businesses alike are beginning to focus on sustainability in greater numbers. By reducing emissions, diverting waste from landfills, and harnessing new, sustainable forms of technology, we may be able to better ensure humanity’s survival into the future.

But the concept of sustainability refers to much more than the natural environment. The phrase “sustainable development” was first used at the 1987 World Commission on Environment and Development, outlining the link between sustainability and social issues, including poverty and inequality. In the modern era, the line between those living in poverty and those living comfortably is becoming increasingly blurred, and a push towards widespread sustainability may help restore the global balance.

The unfortunate reality is that sustainable technology is often more expensive than traditional tech, leading many to eschew sustainable products in lieu of less costly versions, no matter their environmental impact. But the upfront cost is just part of the overall picture — sustainable technology may be more cost-effective in the long run, with savings that can include reduced energy bills and decreased waste disposal costs. Recent innovations in sustainable technology make it easier than ever to make the switch to a more eco-friendly lifestyle and/or business model.

Merging Sustainability and CSR

At the business level, sustainable practices go hand-in-hand with the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The CSR business model favors policies and strategies that keep a company socially accountable, and sustainability is a key piece of the puzzle. Today’s consumers increasingly have the power to choose which businesses they want to support. Social responsibility stands out as an important factor in consumer spending patterns, especially among millennials.

But adopting a sustainable business model often requires substantial changes in everything from the supply chain to company culture. Business innovation is much easier for startups than long-standing companies, partly because startups often have a nothing-to-lose approach. Well-established companies, on the other hand, may be too scared to take risks, and adopting the numerous changes that accompany a sustainable business model may be seen as a risky endeavor.

Widespread sustainability is imperative to the future of the planet, however, and humans should be aware of the impact that daily activities have on the environment. For example, greenhouse gas emissions are a prime contributor to climate change and present a major threat to overall environmental health. Electricity and heat production account for a full 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions; thus, switching to alternative energy for heating needs could drastically reduce those numbers.

Innovations in Sustainable Technology

Reducing emissions is such an important issue that a number of industries are making strides to reduce their air pollution output. The marine shipping industry is a notable example: As of January 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will require all marine fuel to have a sulfur content of no more than 0.5%. That equates a 3% decrease from the previously allowed maximum sulfur content.

The IMO’s regulation of sulfur content is likely to play a large part in reducing air pollution at the global level. Lechler Inc. reports that approximately 50,000 international maritime shipping vessels are responsible for a large chunk of global emissions: 15% of nitrogen oxides and 13% of sulfur oxide emissions. The company manufactures exhaust gas purification systems, called scrubbers, designed to reduce emissions and help ships to better comply with IMO regulations.

The shipping and transportation industries are major players when it comes to innovations in sustainable technology. In the commercial trucking sector, the use of biofuel has become more widespread, but some trucking companies are aiming even higher. Recently, researchers at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey took up the challenge of commercial vehicle sustainability and designed a on-demand hybrid drive system that can be used to convert any commercial vehicle into a hybrid. The technology could drastically reduce commercial fuel consumption and emissions.

Looking to the Future

Hybrid and electric vehicles have increased in popularity in recent years, as more and more people look towards sustainable technology as a solution to the environmental and social issue plaguing our planet. In 2018, U.S. electric vehicle sales saw an 81% surge over the previous year, with 361,307 EVs sold. The top sellers in 2018 were the Tesla Model 3 and Toyota’s Prius Prime.

Along with hybrids and EVs, autonomous vehicle technology is also gaining traction. According to legal experts, autonomous vehicles are more fuel efficient and could reduce accidents caused by human error and negligence. In the era of automated cars, distracted and impaired driving, speeding, fatigue, and texting while driving will no longer be an issue. Further, better gas mileage means that self-driving cars have a smaller environmental impact than traditional passenger vehicles.

These are exciting times for environmentalists and savvy business owners alike. Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and issues such as climate change and air pollution could be mitigated in short order if more individuals and companies would embrace sustainable technology.