The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) defines sustainable development is that which meets the needs of the present without compromising the possibility of future generations to meet their own needs. In order to make the sustainable development concept effective, it is necessary to consider it the confluence of social, environmental, and economic issues—the triple bottom line. One of the key areas that has been intimately associated with sustainable development is the role of innovation in enhancing various facets of sustainability. All major sustainability issues can in principle be tackled based on innovation-centric approaches as they are key elements through which organizations, institutions, communities, regions, and countries can implement effective programs. However, in addition to the triple pillars, the importance of cultural and political dimensions, as well as the stage of development of countries, should not be overlooked.

The global sugar industry should aim at continually adapting to remain competitive in an environment of rising production costs, climate variability, biotic and abiotic stress, compliance costs, and change in production and consumption patterns due to recent pandemics. Nevertheless, the sugar industry has the required potential to positively influence and contribute toward a number of key issues related to inclusive and sustainable development in different ways. These include harnessing the potential of technological innovation in areas like bio-energy, green harvest and sustainable uses of trash, C-sequestration, climate resilient varieties, agriculture 4.0 and agro-technologies, bio-intensive crop production and protection technologies, water management in field and process, zero pollution discharge, recycling of steam, valorization of biomass, cellulose, lignin, molasses, PMC, vinasse, CO2, cellulosic ethanol, H-fuel cell technology, bio-fuels and aviation fuel, organic and specialty sugars, green fertilizer, and bio-degradable plastic and bio-based products of pharmaceutical, medicinal, and industrial importance.

One of the key pathways to a sustainable future for the sugar industry is to adopt bio-refinery models which have the capacity to generate higher value products from sugar crops and its processed residues. Biofuels production can help speed up and leverage the transition to a low carbon economy. The emerging global bio-economy is creating new market opportunities for the sugar industry while underpinning the viability of existing crop products and supply chains. The development of innovative technologies, knowledge, and capacity to increase revenue from the existing sugar complexes with speedy paths to market will ensure increased productivity, profitability, competitiveness, and sustainability. Sugar industry is already an example of a sustainable economy, ecologically prudent and socially reasonable, and through science and innovation the contribution to social well-being will be even greater.