Many of the companies on our 2022 list of the 50 most innovative companies were among the earliest to embrace environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and to establish decarbonization commitments. Almost 80% (39) rank among the top C&S innovators, according to global peer votes.
These and other C&S leaders demonstrate that innovation that builds on both existing and emerging technologies is essential to combating climate change. Companies need to apply existing tech in new ways to create climate-friendly products and processes in the near term. Advanced tech is key to decarbonizing emissions-intensive industries over time.
But leaders also possess well-tuned and revved-up innovation engines. Among companies committed to C&S innovation, only 20% scored 81 or higher BCG’s 100-point innovation-to-impact benchmarking framework (i2i by BCG), marking them as ready innovators. More than three-quarters of committed C&S innovators need to raise their innovation game, and 80% of all companies face a steep learning curve.
Explore 16 Years of 50 Most Innovative Companies
Closing the Gap
Innovation—whether related to product, process, or business model—is not a siloed function, and it does not take place in a walled-off lab. Progress depends on the same human and technological capabilities that drive success elsewhere. These include collaboration, digitization, harnessing data, building artificial intelligence (AI)
, developing requisite human skills, and implementing cross-functional teams and agile ways of working.