The Working Group for Sustainable Consumption and Production (HKP) of the Nordic Council of Ministers hereby call for a pre-study project aiming at mapping Nordic actors within Biomimicry. Examples of actors might be within academia, institute, companies, organisations as well as national and local authorities. The project's results will provide the basis for planning future activities, and to disseminate knowledge and methodology on if and how nature's solutions can provide environmental and competitive advantages in business development.
Background
Humans have always been inspired by nature, and several innovations are the result thereof. Biomimicry was developed by the biologist and innovation consultant Janine Benyus and involves in a more systematic way integrating the forms of nature, but also its patterns and functions in the design process in an environmental sustainable way. The knowledge has especially been applied in product development, construction and urban planning. The awareness of Biomimicry within the processes of design- and development in Nordic companies are not well known. It may here be an unexploited potential that the Nordic authorities together can contribute to making visible and increasing knowledge about nature as an inspiration and model for sustainable solutions.
Aim
The aim of the project is to create interest and attention to the application of Biomimicry for a sustainable future. This in order to inspire more actors to exploit the possibilities and applications of biomimicry and
in the longer term, contribute to the development of more competitive sustainable products and services by Nordic companies. There is a need for an overview in order to find out which actors that today is active in the field of Biomimicry in the Nordic countries. This mapping will provide an overview of ongoing activities, as well as a valuable network and other platforms for continued work in the area.
Target groups
The target groups are decision-makers and officials primarily at local, regional and national level in the Nordic countries, but also at international level.
Project context
The Nordic Council of Ministers Working Group for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/HKP) is to contribute to the implementation of the Nordic Environmental Action Plan 2013 – 2018 http://norden.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?dswid=7447&pid=diva2%3A701437&c=3&searchType=SIMPLE&language=en&query=Environmental+Action+Plan+2013&af=%5B%5D&aq=%5B%5B%5D%5D&aq2=%5B%5B%5D%5D&aqe=%5B%5D&noOfRows=50&sortOrder=author_sort_asc&sortOrder2=title_sort_asc&onlyFullText=false&sf=all
The activities of the groups must reflect the priorities of the Nordic Environmental Action Plan 2013 -2018, in Chapter 1. Inclusive green development, 1.1 Sustainable productions and consumption and 1.2. Resource efficiency and waste, with an emphasis on resource efficiency.
The working group for SCP should focus on efforts to promote green social development, which includes preventing emissions and waste through resource efficiency in consumption and production.
The working group for SCP should contribute to international development within its areas of responsibility.
The project should be conducted in cooperation between at least three Nordic countries (or Nordic autonomies)
This means that the project should be clearly anchored to at least three Nordic countries, e.g. through consulting organisations or their consultants working in, or interviews and other data collection taking place in, at least three Nordic countries or autonomies.
Steering group
The SCP group (HKP) will select 3-5 representatives who will act as a steering group for the project. The project should be carried out in close cooperation with the steering group and the first meeting, that must be attended by all the sub-consultants, shall take place within one month after signing the agreement. The contract is signed with the coordinator of the SCP working group, Camilla Sederholm. The steering group and the SCP group will give final approval to the results.
Expexted results
The expected result is to receive basis for planning of further activities in order to pay attention to possibilities for Nordic actors in utilization of the biomimicry-methodology. It can, for example, be a Nordic seminar aimed at companies, institutes and academies. There may also be other activities that are proposed in the pre-study.
Deliverables:
- A comprehensive report, working paper, in English or a Scandinavian language of the results of the pilot study. The report can be written in English or a Scandinavian language and should contain a summary in both English and a Scandinavian language,
- An oral presentation of the completed report at the end of the project.
Tenders
The deadline for tenders is 4th December at midnight (24:00 CET). The tender can be written in English, or a Scandinavian language. The tender should contain a description of how the contractor intends to carry out the assignment, a proposed price in DKK for the costs relating to the consultants working time and any travel, as well as information about the skills and experience of the consultant with regard to Biomimicry and Nordic cooperation.