As industries generate considerable environmental pollution, the call for green innovation is increasing [38]. It has gradually gained greater attention among scientists and environmental experts and is now recognized as a critical tactic for achieving sustainability [39]. It says businesses should ensure firms and customers value while considerably reducing their environmental effects by developing new processes and products [40]. Its purpose is not to facilitate economic development but to promote sustainability. One strategy to reduce the negative impact of industries on the environment is green process innovation [41]. It is necessary to understand the green process before discussing GPI. Green processes are the manufacturing processes and methods that minimize the adverse effects on the environment and prioritize environmental sustainability [42]. They reduce waste, pollution, and energy consumption while ensuring the efficient use of natural resources. They can be applied in various industries, including manufacturing, construction, transportation, and agriculture [43]. Green process innovation refers to the development and implementation of new processes, systems, or technologies that are designed to promote environmental sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of industrial processes [44,45]. It helps to reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote energy efficiency. GPI is a critical aspect of sustainable development, as it supports economic growth while minimizing environmental consequences [46]. It also gives firms a competitive advantage by reducing costs and improving brand reputation [39]. Governments are now incentivizing organizations for GPI to maximize the development and adoption of sustainable processes and technologies [47].

Through GPI, businesses can innovate biodegradable and sustainable materials, such as bioplastics or sustainable packaging [48], to reduce the environmental impact of industrial processes [49]. In addition, greenhouse emissions can be reduced [50] through renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower [51]. Energy-efficient processes can be developed [52]. The development of closed-loop systems, which recycle and reuse, can help to reduce waste and ensure the efficient use of resources [53]. Sustainable water management systems, such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment, can reduce water consumption and promote water conservation [54]. In short, the current sustainability challenges coming from the inefficient use of natural resources, the inefficient use of energy, waste production, carbon emissions, etc., and they can be reduced through GPI. In addition to the environmental benefit, it will also give firms a competitive advantage through the efficient use of resources, waste reduction and recycling, the efficient and effective use of renewable sources for energy, building their brand reputation, receiving incentives from the government, etc.

Green productivity (GP) was defined as “a strategy for simultaneously enhancing productivity and environmental performance for overall socio-economic development that leads to sustained improvement in the quality of human life” by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit [55]. GP improves organizational efficiency and profitability while minimizing environmental impacts [56]. It simultaneously focuses on optimizing the use of resources, minimizing waste, pollution, and other adverse environmental effects, and increasing productivity and profitability [57]. Green productivity can be attained through eco-friendly technologies, implementing environmentally friendly policies and practices, and adopting sustainable management practices [58,59]. It creates a win–win situation where the environment is protected, and businesses can achieve better economic performance [60].

Green productivity helps businesses achieve sustainable growth and contributes to a healthier planet. Still, it cannot be achieved without sustainable practices and technologies, trained and skilled employees, and environmental awareness [61]. It would not be easy to summarize all the areas and roles GP plays in achieving sustainability. Yet, some of the essential areas include greening the supply chain [62], energy efficiency [63], waste management [64,65], and thus promoting social development. GP reduces operating expenses by minimizing energy and resource use [66] and by reducing waste and pollution, which not only gives a competitive advantage but also leads to sustainability [65,67]. Similarly, it improves the efficiency of business operations by optimizing resource use and minimizing waste and pollution [65]. Some countries have strict environmental regulations, and business organizations must comply. GP assists those firms in complying with environmental regulations, reducing the risk of fines and penalties [68,69].

GP’s core objectives are environmental protection and productivity improvement, which cannot be achieved without re-engineering, re-evaluation, and the examination of production technologies, processes, and products [55]. Production technologies, processes, and products must be innovated in an environmentally friendly manner [70]. Continuous improvements must be made through different processes, product options, and innovations [71]. GP leads to sustainability [72] by improving productivity, reducing waste, ensuring adequate water management, maximizing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, etc.

Our planet is facing severe challenges such as climate change, the greenhouse effect, carbon emissions, the depletion of natural resources, energy resource shortages, industrial waste, etc. [73]. It is necessary to address these challenges and make the habitat safe. These challenges come from human activities required for economic development [74] and industries using natural resources irresponsibly without considering the global problems they create [75]. Environmental awareness is necessary on individual and industrial levels to address these challenges and to ensure economic development and environmental conservation [76]. EA is the degree of awareness and care that people, organizations, and society have towards the environment, and the impact of human activities on the environment [77]. It includes being aware of environmental concerns and being willing to take steps to conserve and protect the environment. Without AE, obtaining sustainable development is impossible in a manner that will ensure the Earth’s future [78].

Most individuals are unaware of the necessity of environmental preservation and how they may contribute to it. Humans must be ecologically conscious of playing a part in protecting the environment [79]. Recycling, conserving water, and utilizing energy-efficient appliances are some of the things we can do to improve our environmental consciousness [80].

EA promotes the conservation of natural resources, such as water, air, and land. It assists in reducing waste and pollution and discourages the inefficient use of energy and greenhouse gases, to name a few [81]. It can play a significant role in green process innovation [82] and green productivity by making them more focused on environmental concerns [83]. If individuals know about the issues and value nature, they will actively participate in innovating a green process and productivity. Similarly, industries that are well aware of the environmental issues they are contributing to can plan and innovate their processes and products to be more environmentally friendly than those unaware of the need or consequences.

The capability of a system or society to persist throughout time by balancing environmental, economic, and social elements is referred to as sustainability [84]. It entails using resources to meet current needs without jeopardizing future generations’ ability to meet their own [85]. Some sustainability issues include global warming, resource depletion, carbon emissions, pollution, biodiversity loss, and social inequality [86]. These issues come from the activities of humans, undertaken for their economic development or growth [74], and industries are the most prominent contributors [75]. Currently, no other choice exists except to take steps to maintain the Earth’s ecosystem through sustainable choices [87]. The United Nations has also issued 17 goals related to sustainable development and invited individuals, organizations, and nations across the globe to play their part in achieving these goals [88]. If harmful operations continue unabated, the planet will run out of natural resources, many animal species will become extinct, and the environment will be irreparably harmed [89]. There is a severe need to change behavior and make decisions that ensure the right balance between the planet’s environment and social and economic development [90]. Reducing carbon emissions, conserving resources such as water and energy, promoting renewable energy, protecting biodiversity and ecosystems, promoting social equity and justice, and fostering sustainable economic development are some factors that ensure and promote sustainability [90,91]. These factors are closely linked with industries and business organizations that prioritize their economic growth and benefits at the cost of sustainability, and they are central to serious decisions ensuring sustainability through green process innovation [92], productivity [55], and environmental awareness [82]. GPI and GP are the primary tools for reducing carbon emissions, conserving resources, promoting renewable energy, protecting the ecosystem and biodiversity, and achieving economic development. EA can also play a crucial role in promoting sustainability [93]. If individuals and industrial organizations are well aware of the importance and issues of the environment, they will incorporate them into their operations, policies, innovations, and productions. Similarly, through GPI, technologies, methodologies, and processes can be designed to reduce the consumption of resources, energy, waste production, pollution, etc., that harm sustainability. Lastly, GP can also be an effective strategy for obtaining sustainable development.