Capabilities for sustainable development are assessed. The quasi-autonomous innovation-mechanism improves performances when cost-savings on natural resources are used for higher-value products. Performances are reasonable in global agriculture and transport, but low, decreasing in global industries caused by low-value products. Consumers reveal preferences for valuable, labour-intensive services. While the success rate of innovation is low and varies across countries, moderate competition due to demands foe higher value deliveries is advantageous. The induced innovation-mechanism is driven by larger leisure time, and knowledge work, along with larger public investments and stricter pollution controls. Pivotal for sustainable is the generation of higher value product-service combinations.