{"id":27061,"date":"2025-01-17T08:48:02","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T00:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=advice&p=27061"},"modified":"2025-08-15T13:22:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T05:22:59","slug":"frontiers-sustainable-innovation","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/advice\/frontiers-sustainable-innovation\/","title":{"rendered":"New frontiers in sustainable innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the next five years, global emissions must be cut by almost half to limit warming to 1.5\u00b0C above pre-industrial levels \u2013 a crucial target to protect our planet for future generations. It\u2019s an ambitious goal that will require radical innovation spanning every facet of our lives \u2013 from the technologies we use to how we source energy and make decisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We know that people want this change, too. Joint research from McKinsey and NielsenIQ<\/a> found that consumers are increasingly shifting their spending toward products with claims related to Ethical, Social and Governance (ESG) outcomes, demonstrating the growing business value of sustainable and ethical products. Similarly, PwC reports<\/a> that global asset managers are expected to increase their ESG-related assets under management to US$33.9 trillion by 2026, up from US$18.4 trillion in 2021.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what trends, technologies and innovations are paving the way for sustainable living on a global scale? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Already, we\u2019re seeing that the 21st century will be characterised by remarkable technological transformation. Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and innovations in digital networking and renewable energy provide a promising pathway to a sustainable future.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll explore transformative concepts like smart cities and examine how advancements in architecture, information technology and business are turning these visions into reality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainable urban planning: a tale of smart cities <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Urban areas are responsible for 60% of our greenhouse gas emissions<\/a>, making them a major contributor to carbon emissions. With more than half of the world\u2019s population<\/a> living in cities and the population growth of these urban areas accelerating, limiting the carbon cost of cities will play a crucial role in achieving our sustainability goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where smart cities come into play.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are smart cities? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Smart cities represent a cutting-edge approach to urban planning, merging digital and physical realms to benefit both citizens and the environment. By leveraging big data and the Internet of Things (IoT) \u2013 which connects devices, buildings, vehicles and infrastructure through sensors and networks \u2013 smart cities continuously evolve to enhance residents\u2019 quality of life, improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These cities drive improvements at multiple levels: pre-emptive maintenance strategies reduce long-term costs and enhance reliability, smart building management optimises short-term energy use, and adaptive traffic signals minimise real-time congestion and emissions. As a beacon of hope in the race to reduce global emissions, the smart cities market is thriving, with projected global revenue to reach US$115 billion by 2029<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singapore leads the way in smart city technology <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cities across Asia are rapidly adopting smart technologies and infrastructure in their cities, with plenty of tech digitising and automating aspects of daily life. The 2024 Smart City Index<\/a> dubbed Singapore the smartest city in Asia and the fifth smartest city in the world \u2013 when you look at their infrastructure, it\u2019s no wonder why.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singapore\u2019s Mass Rapid Transit is among the world\u2019s most advanced, using automatic train control, intelligent signalling, predictive maintenance and real-time scheduling to ensure efficiency and reliability. Beyond transport, the city\u2019s digital healthcare system addresses the needs of its ageing population, while smart grid technologies guarantee a stable power supply. Looking ahead, the ambitious Smart Nation 2.0 initiative<\/a> aims to enhance AI capabilities and combat scams over the next decade.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"City
Image:<\/strong> Marina Bay, Singapore. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons<\/a>.)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The innovation making smart cities possible  <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Smart cities aren\u2019t built overnight \u2013 they demand extensive collaboration between public and private organisations. Innovations in architecture, business and IT are paving the way toward sustainable living and ambitious environmental goals. Key frontiers shaping the future of smart cities include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n