A large part of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, the primary cause of climate change, can be attributed to the production and consumption of goods. Radical innovation is needed in these areas if we are to win the battle against global warming and its damaging effects on the health of people and the planet. Recent innovations in biological sciences and technology hold promise to deliver the breakthroughs needed, but too few of them have been successfully commercialised to a level where they make meaningful, sustainable impact.