We are living in a decisive moment for the United Nations 2030 Agenda. As the final deadline approaches, the urgency to find innovative solutions to global challenges — such as climate change (SDG 13) and access to clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) — has never been greater.
But how can we measure a company’s real innovation efforts toward sustainability?
The answer lies at the heart of Intellectual Property (IP) — specifically, in patents.
Patents as a Map of Sustainable Innovation
Besides serving as legal protection instruments, patents act as a vast global repository of technology — and as a powerful tool for tracking innovation. To obtain a patent, an invention must be publicly disclosed, allowing society and the market to understand where intellectual capital is being invested.
According to data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), nearly one-third of all active patent families worldwide are related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is a powerful indicator that innovation is indeed being steered toward a sustainable future.
A Snapshot of Green Innovation in Brazil
Brazil was the first emerging economy to introduce a prioritized examination track for sustainable technologies. INPI’s Green Patents Program stands as clear evidence of this commitment.
A recent INPI study (analyzing filings from 2012 to 2024) found that the country’s priority technologies — directly linked to Environmental and Sanitary Engineering — are:
- Waste Management: With 666 applications, it is the leading green-patent area in Brazil.
- Alternative Energy: The second-largest category, with 433 applications.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Totals 204 applications, reflecting the central role of agribusiness.
The use of INPI’s Green Patent fast-track examination has reduced the average review time from 4.5 years to just 9 months for granted applications. This acceleration ensures that critical solutions reach the market much faster.
How Environmental & Sanitary Engineering Drives Green Patents
For professionals with a technical background — such as Environmental and Sanitary Engineering or Occupational Safety Engineering — patents have become essential tools for solving real-world problems:
- Accelerating SDG 13 (Climate Action): The significant number of patents in Alternative Energy (SDG 7) and Energy Conservation demonstrates a clear focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions..
- Safety and Sanitation (SDG 6 and SDG 3): The dominance of Waste Management in INPI’s statistics translates into tangible innovations in Sanitary Engineering. Patents covering ultrafiltration membranes, for instance, not only address environmental issues but also improve public health and occupational safety by creating healthier work environments.
- Circular Economy (SDG 12): Patents in chemical recycling and remanufacturing — included within the Waste Management category — are essential for enabling responsible consumption and production.
IP as a Key to ESG
In today’s corporate landscape, ESG performance is a competitive differentiator and a magnet for investment.
A company’s green-patent portfolio is not merely a set of legal titles; it is tangible evidence of its commitment to the “E” (Environmental) pillar of ESG. It shows that the company doesn’t just talk about sustainability—it invests in technology to achieve it.
For businesses, protecting these innovations through patents provides the legal certainty needed to recoup and reinvest substantial R&D in sustainable solutions, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation. In this context of protected investment, Brazil’s patent system proves its relevance, adapting to accelerate green innovation.
The patent system is evolving to meet the urgency of the 2030 Agenda, and INPI data show that Waste Management and Alternative Energy are the main engines of Brazilian innovation.
If sustainable innovation is a strategic pillar of your business, do you know exactly which of the 17 SDGs are being tracked and protected within your IP portfolio?
Our team is ready to support you at every stage of protecting patents, industrial designs, and other IP assets—ensuring legal and strategic security for the sustainable growth of your business.
