Learning from nature? : a framework to assess the sustainability of biomimicry product design applications

Abstract: Products and systems form the bridge between production and consumption, helping to shape our society and lifestyles. Biomimicry uses design principles based on those seen in nature, aiming to emulate the natural sustainability seen from the 3.8 billion years of life on earth. However, there is no current measure to determine how sustainable applications of biomimicry actually are. The aim of this study was to develop a sustainability framework to evaluate the sustainability of biomimicry innovations. Innovations would be considered in regards to their technocentric value – their ability to reduce the impact of the innovation itself, and their ecocentric value – their ability to change dominant consumption behaviours and values. Cases of biomimicry applications were taken from the Biomimicry Institute database and subject to thematic analysis using the framework method. Combined with a systematic literature review, typologies of the types of biomimicry applications were developed and the current applications of biomimicry mapped onto the framework. The first typology is Business as Usual with innovations focuses on improving existing products giving little attention to either techno- or ecocentric aspects. Behaviour Solutions focus on changing how products are consumed, and Technology Solutions focus on the product itself to reduce the impact. Finally, Sustainable Futures comprise the innovations with the greatest sustainability potential, giving equal consideration to technology and behaviour whilst using radical new design. Currently, most biomimicry applications are contributing somewhat towards achieving sustainability but do not consider the behavioural aspects to have a greater impact. Whilst biomimicry still has some theoretical flaws to address, it has the potential to contribute towards sustainable design. The framework can be used to guide and assess individual biomimicry innovations in their development to help achieve the maximum impact.