Innovations as a Means for the Transformation Toward Sustainability

Ulrich Wilke ()
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Ulrich Wilke: Reutlingen University, Dissertation University of Hohenheim, D100

Chapter 3 in Towards Sustainable Innovations, 2026, pp 29-44 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract In this chapter, Wilke positions innovations as key drivers for sustainability transformations. Innovations are defined as implemented novelties—ranging from incremental to disruptive—that create economic, social, or environmental value, building on Schumpeter’s concept of creative destruction. Wilke distinguishes sustainable innovations from conventional ones by their explicit integration of environmental and social objectives alongside economic goals. The chapter highlights challenges such as rebound effects, contextual adaptation (e.g., low-income countries), and the normative complexity of assessing sustainability impacts. Emphasizing the interplay between technological and social innovations, Wilke argues that systemic change requires multi-actor collaboration, supportive frameworks, and stakeholder-inclusive evaluation methods to ensure innovations align with sustainability’s triple bottom line.

Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-31024-8_3

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