Implications of Frugal Innovations on Sustainable Development: Evaluating Water and Energy Innovations

Abstract

Abstract:Frugal innovations are often associated with sustainable development. These connections, however, are based on anecdotal assumptions rather than empirical evidence. This article evaluates the sustainability of four frugal innovations from water and energy sectors. For the purposes of the evaluation, a set of indicators was developed. Indicators are drawn from sustainable development goals by the United Nations and they encompass central dimensions of sustainability: ecological, social and economic. In this article, frugal innovations are compared to solutions that are currently used in similar low-income contexts. Studied frugal innovations were found more sustainable in terms of energy production and water purification capacity than the existing solutions. In terms of social sustainability, larger differences between innovations were found. For example, business models of frugal energy solutions focus on capacity building and the inclusion of marginalized low-income people, whereas business models of water purification solutions focus on more traditional corporate social responsibility activities, such as marketing awareness campaigns and cooperation with non-governmental organizations. Three major sustainability challenges for frugal innovators were identified: (1) the proper integration of material efficiency into product or service systems; (2) the patient promotion of inclusive employment; and (3) the promotion of inclusive and sustainable local industrialization. The article concludes that despite indisputable similarities between frugality and sustainability, it is problematic to equate the two conceptually.

Potential and Pitfalls of Frugal Innovation in the Water Sector: Insights from Tanzania to Global Value Chains

“…Given that many such innovations also contribute to wellbeing and livelihood development, these new solutions can advance sustainable development particularly on an individual and household level. An additional contribution to sustainability comes when these new innovations replace undesirable or inefficient practices or are environmentally, socially, or economically better than the old solutions [42]. In our case study, the frugal innovation solution replaces the use of charcoal or firewood for boiling water, thus decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as deforestation and possible adverse health effects.…”

“…Tata's Swach and Hindustan Unilever's Pureit are examples of these [42]; both are point-of-use water treatment devices for household use. While these outcomes have potential in enhancing sustainable development, a broader view of the water sector (from WSS to water resources management), makes the contributions for sustainable development a more complex question [42].…”

“…These innovations have emerged in various sectors varying from healthcare instruments to energy solutions and household appliances, and have raised attention amongst academia, practitioners as well as policy-makers [8][9][10][11][12]14,41,42]. Frugal innovations aim to provide affordable, no-frills, good (enough) quality products and services for resource-constrained consumers [9,10,14,43].…”

Editorial: Frugal Innovation (April 2018)

“…The existing literature indicates that frugal innovations are more sustainable than alternatives (Levänen et al, 2016), diffuse from emerging countries to rich countries , and need different business models (Winterhalter et al, 2017).…”

Methodological Approach for the Sustainability Assessment of Development Cooperation Projects for Built Innovations Based on the SDGs and Life Cycle Thinking

“…Due to its low demand on resources for its production, distribution and operation and its reduction of resources through substituting traditional cooking stoves, which consume more fuel-wood, this project is a good example for a frugal innovation [71][72][73][74].…”