Biomimicry (or bionics, biomimetics, biognosis, bio-inspired design) constitutes a novel engineering method that emulates the natural forms, functional processes, and strategies in the way sustainable approachs to climate resilience are offered. Moreover, biomimicry provides us with efficient alternatives against resource depletion and heavy pollution over built environmental projects for real sustainability.

In this regard, biomimetic engineering innovations are currently gaining overwhelming significance as a global momentum in sustainable design through the conceptualisation (application of nature’s strategies and principles to design), material selection (sustainable materials inspired by natural processes), design development (optimise sustainability performance of buildings and infrastructure based on nature’s principles), construction techniques (nature-based innovative construction methods for enhanced-efficiency and waste reduction), and post-occupancy evaluation (monitor the nature-inspired design performance and refine future projects).

Inspired by natural processes from biodiversity life (leaf veins, sharks, geckos, lotus leaves, wasp nests, silkworms, microbes, seashells, mushrooms, vegetations, ocean/marine life, etc.), emerging biomimetic innovations recently developed effective climate adaptation strategies for buildings and infrastructure, and also achieved cost-effective green power generation and energy efficiency in various sectors; more specifically, the development of zero-energy engineering through integrated-nature-based sunlight transport process for whole buildings envelop and services, with extended applications to infrastructure; in order to boost the global carbon neutrality. Similarly, marine waves power conversion to electricity via the Biowave engineering with zero-carbon emission constitutes another emerging nature-based technological prowess for climate change mitigation.

On the other hand, several emerging low-cost biomimetic approaches for carbon sequestration and storage (biomineralisation carbon storage inspired by abalones, Treepods carbon capture system inspired by dragon tree, production of biodegradable carbon-based polymers from the nature-based carbon sequestration processes, and conversion of CO₂ to oxygen, etc.) are currently being developed to enhance the nature-based technologically innovations for sustainable future.

Through emulating the natural processes, biomimetic engineering innovations undoubtedly claim to be more adaptive to the capacities of the biosphere and consistent with our bio-capacity in terms of protection of ecosystem services, enhanced-sustainability, aesthetic unicity, future-proofing and economic viability. In the context of net-zero target by 2050, multidisciplinary concerted actions for holistic development and applications of biomimetic engineering prowess appear as an urgent imperative.

This article is contributed by Ir Dr Alex Gbaguidi with the coordination of the Environmental Division.