Sustainability and Sustainable Innovation Management – Interview with Dr. Maximilian Jungmann (Heidelberg Center for the Environment, Heidel

Dr. Maximilian Jungmann (Heidelberg Center for the Environment, Heidelberg University) in conversation with Sinan Barış Yaşar (HGGS) - What roles do companies, governments, and individuals play in creating a more sustainable future? - What distinguishes sustainable innovation from traditional innovation, and why is management crucial to its success?- How can companies balance economic profitability with social and environmental impact? In this episode, we explore the concepts of sustainability and sustainable innovation management together with Dr. Maximilian Jungmann, Executive Manager of the Heidelberg Center for the Environment (HCE) at Heidelberg University. Drawing on his interdisciplinary background in political science, sociology, climate change adaptation, and sustainability consulting, Dr. Jungmann reflects on the urgent need to bridge academic knowledge, business practice, and societal transformation in addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Throughout the episode, Dr. Jungmann explains how sustainability requires long-term thinking that takes future generations, resource limitations, and global interdependencies into account, while also emphasizing the importance of resilience, sufficiency, efficiency, and consistency within organizational and societal structures. The episode explores how sustainable innovation differs from conventional innovation approaches by integrating environmental and social responsibility into both the goals and processes of innovation. Dr. Jungmann further elaborates on different forms of innovation, illustrating how technological and organizational change can contribute to more sustainable economic systems. The conversation also examines the role of sustainable business models and the growing importance of ESG frameworks, regulation, and sustainable entrepreneurship. We discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with the European Green Deal, the role of regulation in shaping innovation, and the tensions between long-term sustainability goals and short-term economic interests. In this context, Dr. Jungmann reflects on how businesses can combine profitability with societal impact and why organizational culture and leadership play a decisive role in successful sustainability transformation processes. Join us in this episode as we explore how sustainability, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration can contribute to addressing some of the most pressing environmental and societal challenges of our time!HCE Website: https://www.hce.uni-heidelberg.deDr. Jungmann’s Profile: ⁠https://www.mnovum.com/dr-max-jungmann⁠Website of Momentum Novum: https://www.mnovum.com/Website of Falk Momentum: https://www.falk-momentum.com/%C3%BCber-uns Timeline(00:00) Intro (00:24) Introducing Dr. Jungmann (03:56) Research on Sustainability and Sustainable Innovation Management (08:16) What Does Sustainability Mean? (11:20) The Need for Transformation toward a Sustainable Future (13:57) Current Level of Progress in Sustainability (17:33) Regulation, Innovation, and the EU Green Deal (24:03) Sustainable Innovation Management (26:32) Forms of Sustainable Innovation (29:47) Sustainable Business Models (32:29) Competitive Advantages of Sustainable Business Models (34:56) Sufficiency-Driven Business Models (36:37) Organizational Culture and Sustainability Transformation (39:40) Sustainable Startups(44:47) International Climate Cooperation (47:12) The Mission of the HCE (49:32) Outro Keywords Sustainability, Sustainable Innovation Management, ESG Compliance, Sustainable Business Models, Innovation, Innovation Management, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Green Deal, Climate Change, Sustainable Startups, Sustainability Consulting, Climate Policy, Sustainability Reporting, Corporate Responsibility, Interdisciplinary Research, Environmental Studies, Political Science, Heidelberg Center for the Environment, Heidelberg University, Academic Podcast, Scientific Podcast