On October 24, Rinnovabili, together with the UCSC International Alumni Committee, hosted a high-impact event in New York focused on “Environmental Sustainability and Business: Trends and Macro-Analysis.” This event aimed to provide US-based companies with practical insights on integrating sustainability into their growth strategies. Here’s why these topics are driving the future of business.
Can companies truly thrive financially while focusing on climate action, environmental protection, and social commitment? Which sustainable business models are proving financially viable, and which ones are set to emerge in the coming years? The relationship between planet, people, and profit, along with the sustainability trends transforming it, defined the central theme of “Environmental Sustainability and Business: Trends and Macro-Analysis“, an event organized by the UCSC International Alumni Committee in New York and promoted by the media company Rinnovabili, which has recently expanded to the United States. The event took place on October 24 in New York City.
Efficiency and Economies of Scale as Trends for Sustainable Business Growth
In today’s shifting economic landscape, balancing sustainability and profitability remains a core challenge for companies across sectors – energy, mobility, circular economy, food systems, and construction. Two cross-sector drivers stand out: efficiency and economies of scale.
Efficiency has become a strategic advantage for businesses looking to balance sustainability and profit, reducing operational costs and environmental impact by minimizing waste. Not only does this strategy increase competitiveness in the short term, but it also builds long-term resilience by decreasing dependency on finite resources and market volatility.
Economies of scale, on the other hand, amplify sustainability efforts as companies expand, driving down per-unit costs for green solutions and making eco-friendly technologies more accessible.
The 2050 Net-Zero Goal: Challenges and Opportunities
Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 has become a critical goal for global economies and businesses alike. “The future of our environment and daily life will be profoundly shaped by which climate scenarios we follow,” says Matteo Spagnolo, General Manager of Rinnovabili and guest speaker at the event. This ambitious goal demands a long-term perspective and global cooperation to accommodate the unique speeds and capabilities of both advanced and emerging economies.
Decarbonizing the Energy Sector: Key Strategies and Innovations
At the core of a sustainable future is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, with the energy sector representing the largest share. The roadmap to decarbonization revolves around three main pillars: renewables, electrification, and efficiency. By 2050, renewables must account for 85-90% of global electricity consumption to meet net-zero targets, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Renewable energy, combined with energy efficiency and electrification, could cut current energy emissions by up to 45%. Complementing these efforts, hydrogen and carbon capture technologies are essential for hard-to-abate sectors. “With the right technologies, net-zero is within reach, although some innovations still need optimization,” explains Spagnolo.
Mobility: The Unstoppable Rise of Electric Vehicles
The path to sustainability is irreversible, and current technology favors the efficiency of electric vehicles (EVs). Despite occasional policy setbacks, EVs are already reducing emissions significantly compared to traditional or hybrid engines. While challenges such as cost, range, and charging times remain, these barriers are quickly shrinking as EVs become more affordable and charging infrastructure improves.
Harnessing Sustainability’s Transformative Potential
Efficiency plays a central role in other key sectors of the global economy. The circular economy, for instance, directly addresses today’s unsustainable consumption rates. “On average, we consume 1.75 Earths’ worth of resources every year,” notes Matteo Spagnolo. “If we’re serious about sustainability, we simply can’t continue this way.” Another pressing issue is food waste: globally, we waste 24% of the calories produced, occupying a land area equal to China in the process. This waste alone consumes a quarter of the water used for agriculture and generates 8-10% of global emissions.
The construction industry also holds immense potential for sustainable transformation. Promoting green building through deep retrofitting and enhanced efficiency could reduce energy demand in buildings by 60% by 2050.
These sectors all have practical solutions for aligning sustainability in its various forms with profitability. For example, fashion’s Scope 3 emissions make up 97% of the industry’s total emissions, primarily along the value chain. Spagnolo explains that “this highlights the importance of certifications and aligning supply chains.” Much of sustainability’s transformative potential still lies in innovative but underutilized technologies. Take vertical farming: this approach achieves higher efficiency with fewer resources, yet high costs—particularly for lighting—remain a barrier. “But with economies of scale, these challenges can be overcome,” concludes Spagnolo.
Across sectors, sustainability is no longer an option—it’s a strategic imperative for long-term success. Rinnovabili is committed to supporting businesses on this journey, offering media projects, education, and advisory services designed to guide companies toward a sustainable and competitive future.
