Those who embrace innovation today will shape the markets of tomorrow, building a future where efficiency, transparency, and purpose go hand in hand, says thought-leader Marga Hoek
A new era of innovation is redefining sustainability, offering an unprecedented opportunity to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, inequality, poverty, and global health challenges. As detailed in my latest, award-winning book Tech for Good, technologies from the Fourth Industrial Revolution – such as AI, blockchain, and advanced materials – are transforming industries, while at the same time creating solutions that align profit with environmental and social impact. Businesses integrating sustainability-driven technology are gaining a competitive edge; they are reducing costs, mitigating risks, and most importantly, unlocking new revenue streams.
With only 16% of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently on track, technology is a critical driver in bridging the gap. Innovation fuelled by advanced technologies can accelerate progress on up to 70% of these goals. Whether through AI optimising energy grids, blockchain securing sustainable supply chains, or biotech reducing resource consumption, the future of sustainability is intertwined with technological advancement.
Let’s explore the tangible impact of cutting-edge technology in five key areas – energy, food and agriculture, education, resources, and cities – by illustrating how innovation is reshaping the global sustainability landscape around the world.
The clean power revolution
Imagine a windy North Sea night – AI algorithms balance the grid as turbines spin, instantly adjusting to shifting wind speeds to ensure a steady flow of electricity while reducing dependency on fossil fuel backups. In Texas, next-generation battery storage extends solar energy availability after sunset by allowing homes and businesses to rely on clean energy around the clock. AI is transforming the energy sector, optimising grids, predicting demand fluctuations, and accelerating the transition to renewables. And it draws in significant investment. For instance, the US Department of Energy has committed $10.5bn to smart grid technology to reduce outages, increase efficiency, and improve resilience against extreme weather events.
Decentralised energy markets are emerging worldwide, strengthened by the current geopolitical landscape. Blockchain powers this development. LO3 Energy’s Brooklyn microgrid for instance, operating in a residential neighbourhood in New York City, enables peer-to-peer solar energy trading, allowing homeowners to buy and sell excess solar power directly. Similarly, Australia’s Power Ledger facilitates energy trading across communities, helping to decentralise electricity distribution. In sub-Saharan Africa, M-KOPA has provided over three million people with affordable solar power through pay-as-you-go models, proving that decentralised clean energy can thrive in underserved regions, where traditional grid infrastructure is limited or non-existent.
AI-powered predictive maintenance is also making renewables more efficient. Siemens Gamesa’s wind turbines use machine-learning to boost energy output by 10%, while North American Form Energy’s iron-air batteries promise to make renewable energy available around the clock. Meanwhile, Tesla and Shenzhen-based EV manufacturer BYD are advancing battery storage technology, making renewables also more cost-competitive. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, where electric vehicles supply energy back to the grid during peak demand, is already stabilising power systems in the Netherlands and Japan. These innovations are proving that clean energy isn’t just sustainable – it’s smart business.
“Decentralised energy markets are emerging worldwide“
Sowing sustainability
In a drought-prone field in India, farmers launch drones to survey crops by checking leaf colours for early pest detection. Halfway around the world in a California lab, scientists 3D-print plant-based meat alternatives that aim to satisfy dietary needs with minimal environmental impact. AI-driven precision agriculture is boosting crop yields by 30% and reducing water use by 25%, improving the bottom line of both small-scale farmers and large agribusinesses. John Deere’s autonomous tractors, used extensively across North America and Europe, optimise planting strategies, lowering fuel consumption by 20%.
The alternative protein industry by now is booming, with market projections exceeding $290bn by 2035. Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, both based in the United States, are scaling production, using 90% less land and water than traditional meat. Cultivated meat pioneers, such as Upside Foods in California and Eat Just in Singapore, are revolutionising protein production, potentially slashing global agricultural emissions by 60%.
Vertical farming, led by companies like AeroFarms in New Jersey and Plenty in California, produce fresh greens with 95% less water and eliminate the need for pesticides. In Singapore, which imports over 90% of its food, the government has invested $100m in vertical farming to enhance food security. Meanwhile, agrivoltaic farms in France are demonstrating how solar energy and agriculture can co-exist to increase land efficiency by 60%.
Additionally, AI-powered food waste management platforms, like those developed by London’s Winnow and Copenhagen’s Too Good To Go, are reducing food waste in commercial kitchens and retail stores. With around one third of all the food being produced going either lost or is being wasted, these technologies are helping businesses cut costs while addressing one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions – food waste. Companies like Apeel Sciences in California are extending the shelf life of produce with plant-based coatings, reducing spoilage and ensuring that more food reaches consumers instead of landfills.
Education reimagined
In a remote village in sub-Saharan Africa, a student puts on a VR headset and is instantly transported to a cutting-edge science lab. Immersive learning experiences are reshaping education, particularly in underserved regions. VR modules in Middle Eastern schools are improving retention rates by 75%, while institutions like Stanford University in the US use VR for medical simulations, allowing students to practice complex procedures in a risk-free environment.
AI-powered tutoring systems are personalising learning. Byju’s, an Indian edtech giant valued at $22bn, leverages AI to tailor lessons for over 100 million students. In China, Squirrel AI’s adaptive learning technology has improved retention rates by 40%. Meanwhile, Khan Academy’s AI-driven tutor, Khanmigo, is revolutionising online education by doubling learning efficiency with individualised support, helping students grasp difficult concepts at their own pace.
Satellite broadband and mobile learning platforms are bridging educational gaps in developing regions. Google’s Project Loon provided internet to over 200,000 Kenyans using high-altitude balloons, while Eneza Education’s SMS-based learning programmes have reached over one million students across Africa. As the global online education market is projected to surpass $1tn by 2030, investment in digital learning continues to accelerate, offering new opportunities for students in even the most remote locations.
Closing the loop: The circular economy and resource innovation
Every year, humanity extracts billions of tonnes of materials, generating vast amounts of waste. The shift towards a circular economy – where waste becomes a resource – is gaining traction through AI, robotics, and biomaterials.
Companies like Patagonia are leading the way by creating high-performance clothing from recycled ocean plastics. Adidas has committed to producing 100% of its shoes from recycled materials by 2025. Meanwhile, startups like Sway, based in the United States, are replacing plastic packaging with biodegradable seaweed-based alternatives, and innovations like biodegradable sneakers made from bacteria are becoming a reality.
Recycling is also being transformed by AI. Colorado’s AMP Robotics has developed intelligent sorting machines that increase recycling efficiency by 50%, significantly reducing landfill waste. The Ocean Cleanup project, founded by Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat, has already removed over 1,500 tonnes of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, with AI-driven collection barriers expected to capture 50% of ocean plastics within a decade.
Restorative technologies are also being deployed to reforest degraded ecosystems. AirSeed Technologies in Australia uses AI-powered drones to plant 40,000 trees per day, accelerating reforestation efforts. Brazil’s AI-assisted restoration programmes have optimised tree survival rates by 85%, directly contributing to global carbon sequestration efforts.
“The shift is not just ethical – it’s financially compelling“
A smart reinvention of urban life
Picture a city where traffic flows seamlessly because AI optimises routes and signals in real time. In Hangzhou, Alibaba’s City Brain has cut congestion by 15%, and cities like Singapore, Tokyo, and London are rolling out similar AI-driven traffic systems to lower emissions. By 2025, AI-powered urban management could generate $280bn in savings worldwide.
Beyond traffic, AI is making cities more efficient. In Dubai and Helsinki, smart energy systems dim streetlights and adjust building temperatures automatically. Düsseldorf’s LED lighting has cut public lighting energy use by 60%, saving millions. Barcelona’s water system has reduced leaks by 25%, conserving resources in an era of water scarcity.
Autonomous transportation is also reshaping cities. In San Francisco and Los Angeles, self-driving electric shuttles are reducing congestion and emissions. Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle division, now provides over 100,000 driverless taxi rides per week. Meanwhile, drone delivery services like Wing, operating in Australia, the United States, and Finland, along with Amazon Prime Air, which is rolling out drone deliveries in select US locations like Lockeford, California, and College Station, Texas, are cutting last-mile delivery emissions
Blockchain is also transforming urban governance. Estonia – known as the world’s most digitally advanced society – has introduced blockchain-based digital identities, streamlining public services. In developing regions, blockchain-powered land registries provide secure property rights to millions, reducing corruption and fostering economic stability. These innovations prove that technology isn’t just making cities smarter – it’s making them fairer and more resilient.
With urban populations set to reach 6.7 billion by 2050, sustainable city design is more urgent than ever. Cities adopting AI, IoT, and automation are showing that technology can enhance quality of life, efficiency, and sustainability – creating resilient urban ecosystems for future generations.
Embracing Tech for Good
Across every sector – from AI-enhanced energy grids and precision agriculture to transformative education, resource recycling, and smart city innovations – technology is propelling us toward a sustainable future. Advanced technologies not only address our environmental and social challenges but also unlock vast new market opportunities and drive economic success. Opportunities span sectors and cultures, and technology is scaling solutions that redefine business practices while accelerating the transition toward a sustainable economy.
From AI-driven energy grids to biodegradable packaging to virtual reality for education. The shift is not just ethical – it’s financially compelling. The message is clear: sustainability is not a cost – it is an opportunity. Those who embrace innovation today will shape the markets of tomorrow. Lead with vision, integrate transformative technology, and the rewards will follow.
Those who embrace innovation today will shape the markets of tomorrow, while building a future where efficiency, transparency, and purpose go hand in hand. In an era where every innovation brings us one step closer to a thriving, sustainable world, one thing is clear: Tech for Good is Good Business.
About the author
Marga Hoek is a Global Voice at Imagine5, an environmental impact platform dedicated to inspiring change through the power of positive storytelling. Marga Hoek is an internationally recognised thought leader, three-time CEO and multi-award-winning author of Tech for Good, and The Trillion Dollar Shift.
Further reading
This article was first published in Business 4.0