How is sustainable innovation best defined?

Sustainable innovation is best defined as creating products and processes that support sustainability principles. This approach focuses on balancing environmental, social, and economic considerations in the development of new goods and services. By prioritizing sustainability, organizations can reduce their ecological footprint, improve resource efficiency, and promote social equity. This encompasses not only the materials used and the energy consumed in production but also the entire lifecycle of the products, including disposal and recycling.

In contrast, the other options focus on aspects that do not align with the core principles of sustainability. For instance, producing goods at the lowest cost typically emphasizes short-term savings and may lead to environmental degradation or unethical labor practices, which are not sustainable in the long run. Similarly, developing services that increase consumerism can contribute to overconsumption and waste, contradicting sustainability's goal of responsible resource use. Lastly, innovating solely for profit disregards the broader social and environmental responsibilities companies have; sustainable innovation seeks to address these issues while still achieving business success.