Sustainable design innovation
Martin Hunt | [email protected]
this presentation
Introduction to Forum and the sustainability imperative
Four methods for encouraging sustainable innovation &
case studies
Four critical success factors
Time for questions & discussion
Forum and the case for sustainable
design
Forum for the Future
We are a sustainable development not for profit
organisation, not carbon/climate change specialists
We work in partnership with different sectors – a hybrid of
advisory group and a “think & do” tank
70 staff, 120 partners, £4M turnover, based in the UK but
with global reach
JT Group
• Deforestation,
desertification…
• Over fishing…
• Build-up of toxics…
• Water stress and waters
shortages…
• Loss of biodiversity…
• Air pollution…
• Water pollution…
Death of Nature?
Rising energy costs
+
increased volatility
+
cost of carbon
=
Material Business Risk
A climate change cynic?
Growth in human numbers
plus
growth in economic output
has resulted in
HUGE GROWTH
IN
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
Encouraging sustainable
innovation
Method 1: Futures
We know that change is coming, but sustainability means
big change. Here are just three global targets we need to
hit to make a sustainable future a reality:
• 80% reduction in global CO2/GHG emissions by 2050
• Factor 5 reduction (80%) in resources used in products
and services we use by 2020
• Half the number of people living in absolute poverty
globally by 2015
These are massive system changes which require new
thinking in design and creative approaches.
redesign for a radically different
future...
Forum developed the Changing
Worlds brief for the RSA „s 2008
Annual Design Directions
competition
Led to a number of concept
designs. This one is being tested
at the moment – but could lead to
paint manufacturer becoming a
seller of technology and software
patterns!
Method 2: Collaboration
Collaboration across value chain...
• envirowash
• brush & roller cleaning system preventing water
contamination
• bulk packaging
• 500 litres of paint
• 96% reduction of packaging
Lower impact paints
Method 3: Qualitative assessment
qualitative
Broad principles &
frameworks
Directional Tools
Diagrams
Checklists
Matrices
quantitative
Early in design process
Later in design process
Assessment Tools
Metrics
Indicators
LCAs
labels
SLCA – a ‘green’ scorecard for your product
Ranks the sustainability performance
of all/any product
½ day workshop for multi-disciplinary
buying teams (marketing, technical,
sustainability/EHS, suppliers)
Helps identify carbon/ sustainability
risks and opportunities
Predefined series of questions, visual
output.
Streamlined Life Cycle Analysis
System conditions
Materials from the
earth’s crust.
Man-made
materials.
Degradation of
biosphere.
People’s capacity to
meet their needs.
Life
cyc
le s
tag
es
Raw materials
Paint synthesis
Packaging & distribution
Use
End of life
Good
Almost all answers
positive. System
condition met.
Quite good
Mostly positive
responses. System
condition mostly met.
Quite bad
Mostly negative
responses. System
condition mostly
NOT met.
Bad
Almost all answers
negative. System
condition unmet.
qualitative
Broad principles &
frameworks
Directional Tools
Diagrams
Checklists
Matrices
quantitative
Early in design process
Later in design process
Assessment Tools
Metrics
Indicators
LCAs
labels
Sustainable interior design principles
• Based on high-level assessment methodologies & JL
gateways
• Interviews & desk research with design team reps from JL
& Waitrose; plus project managers; waste managers
• 7 high level principles identified:
Encourage innovation Encourage lean manufacturing
Optimise product life time Utilise low-impact materials
Design for low-impact use Encourage efficient distribution
Optimise end of life
Application of principles
Excel spreadsheet (project management)
Flash cards (design meetings; small groups; individually)
Team can use sustainability as a common language
Demonstrates interconnectivity of principles
Encourages dialogue within the team
Encourages wide ownership of principles
Lays foundation for numerical assessment tool
Method 4: User centred design
User centred design innovation
Innovation on climate change
in Las (Kirklees, Suffolk, St
Helens)
Use empathic research to
study peoples‟ real behaviour
and usage patterns – to identify
problems and blockages
Partner with LGA and IDEO
(innovation consultancy)
Critical success factors
1. Leadership
“We want to be the retailer of choice for
those who care about the environment,
natural resources and society.”
The single biggest reason we hear for not considering sustainability is that ‘the client did not write it into the brief’. Promoting sustainability, even when not specified by your client, is a critical part of leadership.
It may be that clients do not consider or add sustainability to a project but that should not be an excuse not to do it or try. But what are their CSR or sustainability goals?
In truth, clients often turn to outsiders and creative industries for that fresh insight or unique approach ( ‘added value’) they might have missed. Why should this not be any different on sustainability?
2. Create the value case
The global ‘sustainability’ market for goods and services is estimated to be over $3 trillion and will be $4 trillion by 2015. In the UK, market stands at £112bn and growing. This spells opportunity for creatives prepared to pioneer and lead.
We need to evidence the value case and demonstrate whole life benefits. It also needs to be communicated well.
About smarter design, not just eco-design...
3. Transparency - each claim backed by credible
data and endorsement
4. Find your voice and get a seat at the table
The creative industries are not well represented on sustainability. Who is their big champion? Who is pioneering or the promoting their cause on sustainability?
The CI’s should find a senior voice or platform that represents their activities or their potential. Then try to get a seat at the table.
At both regional and national level...
Beacon for innovation
Forum for the Future is working with the Creative
Industries Knowledge Transfer Network team on
one of their „Beacon‟s for Innovation‟ projects. T
The project is examining how British creative
businesses will help other sectors innovate on issues
like energy, climate change and social equity, as well
as become more sustainable themselves.
Report and “provocations” out next month!
http://www.forumforthefuture.org/projects/creative-industries-project
discussion
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