Published
June 20, 2025
“Innovation drives solutions.” That was the message Marty Durbin, U.S. Chamber SVP of Policy, delivered at the Business Delivers Innovation Summit this week.
The summit brought together industry leaders and policymakers to explore how business-driven innovations are shaping the future.
Why it matters: Through creativity and investment, businesses are addressing global challenges, improving Americans' lives, strengthening communities, and driving economic growth.
What they said:
Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia, shared how her company is working on advanced water technologies, pollutant removal, water reuse, and local energy solutions, demonstrating how sustainability and economic growth go hand in hand.
Lauren Riley, Chief Sustainability Officer at United Airlines, discussed her company’s use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With 98% of United’s emissions tied to fuel, Riley outlined how the airline invests in new aircraft and engine designs, improves operational efficiency, and scales SAF production. “Innovation is everything,” she said, highlighting United’s venture fund and partnerships to develop next-generation fuels.
Aubrey Bettencourt, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at the USDA, explained how government and farmers are effective partners: “Farmers are clamoring for the technical and financial support that NRCS provides,
Jim Connaughton, CEO of JLC Strategies, emphasized lowering the costs and accelerating the speed of delivering new physical infrastructure. “We are looking through the wrong end of the Hubble Telescope [regarding permitting reform],” he said. “Instead of focusing on the litigation of handfuls of projects at a time, we need to go back to basics and fix permitting at the fundamental level to affect the hundreds of thousands of projects we need.”
Honeywell’s Chief Scientist and Chief Sustainability Officer, Dr. Gavin Towler highlighted the need to remain competitive on the global stage. “From a policy standpoint in the U.S., we cannot afford to be complacent,” he stated. “We must not surrender our leadership in the technologies of the future. Preserving our scientific and technological edge is critical."
Be smart: Speakers at the Summit echoed a common theme—the need for consistent, forward-looking, and durable policies to support innovation. Businesses are ready to lead, but they need a regulatory environment that enables them to move fast and scale solutions.
To learn more about the U.S. Chamber’s work on policy solutions to unleash business innovation and economic and environmental progress, please reach out to Chuck Chaitovitz.
About the author
Chuck Chaitovitz
Chuck Chaitovitz is vice president for environmental affairs and sustainability at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
