Here's how you can use problem solving skills to drive sustainable innovation in industries.

Often, problems are explored at a skin-deep level, rather than searching for the answer that's at the root. This prevents sticking-plaster solutions and creates the space for people to connect to the issue and explore what's going on. There are some brilliant tools out there for problem-solving. From the simplicity of the '5 whys' from design thinking perspective, The 'iceberg model' for changing behaviours or more complex perspectives such as Theory U. Whatever route you choose, it's critical to involve the people who will deliver the solution in its design.

Supply chain sustainability offers key understanding here, as expanding beyond internal operations can be a big time game changing indicator to reduce Scope 3 emissions

começo identificando desafios específicos de sustentabilidade através de uma análise detalhada. Em seguida, investigo as causas raízes desses problemas, considerando diversos aspectos como econômicos e tecnológicos. Facilito sessões de brainstorming para gerar ideias criativas e soluções inovadoras, envolvendo equipes multidisciplinares e especialistas. Implemento as soluções mais viáveis e eficazes, monitorando seus impactos e ajustando conforme necessário para garantir progresso contínuo em direção à sustentabilidade na indústria.

Identifying the following will help more: 1. Industry and Stakeholder specific ESG/Sustainability Issues. This is best done through a Stakeholder engagement followed by a Materiality Assessment exercise. 2. Identify the data sources. This could mean having to look at all the systems you have in place and the data that is being generated. Everything from ERP systems to invoices falls under this. 3.Quantify. You could use ballpark estimations to identify focus areas, but it always helps if you know the current impact/performance.

To drive sustainable innovation, start by conducting a thorough environmental impact assessment to identify key issues such as energy consumption, waste production, and resource depletion. Engage with stakeholders and analyze operational data to pinpoint significant impacts. Benchmark your performance against industry standards and ensure compliance with regulations. Prioritize issues based on their environmental impact and develop targeted strategies to address them, monitoring progress regularly to refine and improve your approach.

SCSM system includes all the processes and actors involved in getting raw materials to your company, such as material sourcing, transportation, and logistics. Further, product life cycle considers the entire lifespan of your product, from its design and manufacturing to its use, disposal, and potential for reuse or recycling. and so on....

While it's important to look at everything from a lifecycle perspective, it's not always practical. Sometimes you might just need to plug the gaps in data by implementing efficient systems and increasing a wider adoption of those systems within your organization.

To achieve your waste reduction goals, start by envisioning the desired outcome and then analyze your systems accordingly. Examine the entire lifecycle of your products or services, focusing on energy use, material throughput, and waste outputs. By prioritizing your end goals, you can identify and address inefficiencies throughout the system, knowing that all current restrictions can be overcome to reach your ultimate objectives. This approach ensures that your efforts are aligned with achieving significant waste reduction.

After identifying key sustainability challenges, the next step is to analyze your current systems and processes. Examine the lifecycle of your products or services from cradle to grave. Assess the energy inputs, material throughput, and waste outputs at each stage. This holistic view helps you spot inefficiencies and areas for improvement. Keep in mind that small changes in one part of the system can lead to significant downstream impacts.

Brainstorm, brainstorm, brainstorm! There is more than one way to solve a problem. Design thinking methods could be used for this purpose to generate some creative ideas. A lot of free design thinking method toolkits are available for free on the internet.

Generating ideas for sustainable solutions involves applying lean manufacturing concepts to streamline processes and reduce waste. Focus on principles such as continuous improvement, value stream mapping, and eliminating non-value-added activities. By integrating these concepts, you can develop innovative and efficient solutions that enhance sustainability while optimizing resource use and minimizing environmental impact.

Innovation and Creativity is key. Since everyone is thinking outside the box, one can focus on whats inside too and find ways to bring out creativity and make the most out of the current existing solutions too.

After brainstorming potential solutions, create prototypes to explore and refine your ideas. This process is often iterative, allowing for continuous improvement based on feedback and testing. Even simple tools like sticky notes on a whiteboard can reveal numerous opportunities and challenges, helping you to develop and enhance effective sustainable solutions.

mplement solutions based on successful prototypes while committing to continuous improvement. Emphasize the principle that everything can be done better, and regularly refine processes and strategies to enhance performance and sustainability. This iterative approach ensures ongoing progress and the effective integration of successful innovations.

It's important to recognise your role here. - Are YOU implementing solutions? - Are you SUPPORTING other people to implement the solutions, or - Are you ENABLING other people so they can be the ones delivering the goals? These different ways of working can have very different skill sets behind them. If you're trying to embed sustainability into the company or system, the latter is most likely your end goal. But depending on where you are on the journey, and different people's needs, the other ways of working may be more appropriate.

In order to set KPIs and keeping track of KPIs, I recommend using a digital monitoring, reporting and verification system, which allows you to track KPIs and impact in real-time. The latter also allows you to conduct analysis and determining potential future KPIs.