BIOMIMICRY
What is Biomimicry?
It is the practice of learning from the 3.8 billion years of research and development embedded in life on Earth. It encourages us to draw inspiration from the living world, where every organism is a master of adaptation to its environment.
At Gaïarta, we believe Biomimicry is an invitation as well as a path to rethink and re-create together our place as “contributors to service” in this great dance that is life on earth !​ It is inspiration as much as sustainable and ethical solutions: life's principles are our new compass of exploration. Through a systemic approach to biomimicry, we can open together the regeneration horizon of our world !
The three levels
In summary, the three levels of biomimicry offer progressively deeper insights into how nature can inform human innovation. While biomimicry of form and function are often the first steps toward incorporating natural inspiration, biomimicry of systems represents the ultimate goal: creating a world where human designs and technologies are aligned with nature’s wisdom for long-term sustainability and resilience.
Biomimicry can be understood through three distinct levels, each offering a unique approach to drawing inspiration from nature. These levels - form, function and system - represent a progression from superficial mimicry that could also be referred to as bio-inspired, to a deeper integration of nature's principles, providing full integral biomimicry.
1
Forms - Mimicking nature's physical traits
The most basic level of biomimicry, where designers and engineers look to nature for inspiration in the form, shape or structure of organisms. Often, this level only focuses on replicating the physical traits, for instance, the design of a building might mimic the shape of a termite mound for passive temperature regulation. While this level can lead to innovative products, it is more about mimicking nature’s appearance or geometry rather than its underlying processes.
2
Function - The deep wisdom of nature
At this level, the focus shifts from the form of nature to its function. Here, the goal is to understand how nature performs specific tasks or solves problems, like how burrs attach to animal fur, leading to the invention of Velcro. Instead of simply copying a form, designers examine how nature has evolved to perform a certain function, such as efficient energy transfer or waste elimination, and apply those principles to create more sustainable or effective technologies.
3
Systems - Beauty as a path to connection
The deepest and most transformative level of biomimicry involves understanding and applying the holistic systems and processes that nature uses to maintain balance and sustainability. This level goes beyond individual forms or functions and explores the complex relationships and interdependencies in ecosystems. It involves mimicking nature’s strategies for self-regulation, resilience, and regeneration.
The Future of Biomimicry
In the next 5 to 10 years, biomimicry will fuel an extraordinary global transformation, unlocking solutions to some of humanity's most urgent challenges. By tapping into 3.8 billion years of evolutionary ingenuity, biomimicry promises to redefine industries, accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and help us transition to a truly regenerative, sustainable world.
Energy Efficiency &
Carbon Reduction
By 2030, biomimicry could contribute to an estimated 100 TWh in global energy savings, driving a 5-7% reduction in worldwide energy consumption.
Innovations inspired by nature, such as whale fin-inspired wind turbines and termite mound-based passive cooling, are expected to boost energy efficiency by up to 50% in key sectors. This will lead to a global decrease of 2-3 gigatons of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to removing 400 million cars from the road.
Maritime & Ocean
Preservation
Biomimetic innovations in the maritime industry, such as shark-skin hulls and dolphin-inspired propulsion systems, are set to cut fuel consumption by up to 30%, drastically reducing shipping emissions and marine pollution.
By 2030, these innovations could reduce maritime CO2 emissions by 500 million tons, making a huge impact on ocean health and climate change mitigation. Simultaneously, nature-inspired technologies will foster healthier ocean ecosystems by decreasing plastic waste through biodegradable materials and eco-friendly coatings.
Water Systems &
Agricultural Revolution
With nature-inspired water purification and irrigation systems, biomimicry could reduce water consumption by up to 40% in agriculture, while improving crop yields and soil health.
Biomimetic desalination technologies could lower energy use in water treatment by 60%, providing clean water to billions of people in water-scarce regions. By 2030, global water usage could decrease by 30-40 billion cubic meters annually, while improving agricultural output and food security in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
Projections for 2030
The biomimicry sector is projected to add $3 trillion to the global economy by 2030, unlocking millions of green jobs in fields ranging from sustainable agriculture and energy to advanced manufacturing and ocean conservation. Biomimicry represents the most transformative opportunity in human history. With bio-inspired innovations spanning multiple industries, we can accelerate our progress toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), restore ecosystems, and reduce our environmental impact on an unprecedented scale.
By 2030, biomimicry will be the catalyst for global regeneration—shaping industries, economies, and societies into a powerful, interdependent system that works in harmony with nature. The future is bright, and the revolution is now.
"The answers to our questions are everywhere; we just need to change the
lens with which we see the world." ~ Janine Benyus (founding member Biomimicry Institute)
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Our growing community
The global biomimicry community is growing at an inspiring rate. Organizations like the Biomimicry Institute and the European Biomimicry Network have been instrumental in uniting innovators, researchers, designers, and environmentalists from diverse fields, creating spaces for collaboration, research, and education.
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The biomimicry community is fostering a sense of shared responsibility for the planet. By looking to nature, not as something to be dominated, but as a teacher, biomimicry has inspired a collective movement that values empathy, respect, and interdependence. As this community continues to grow and collaborate, the potential for creating a brighter, more sustainable future becomes increasingly attainable, not just for individuals, but for generations to come.
Learning together
One of the key strengths of the biomimicry movement is its collaborative spirit. Across continents, people are sharing knowledge, experiences, and success stories, learning from nature’s time-tested strategies to find innovative solutions to problems like climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation.
Conferences, workshops, and online platforms have become hubs for biomimicry professionals, where cross-disciplinary exchanges happen frequently, resulting in groundbreaking ideas that might not have emerged in siloed environments.
