What are the environmental and societal impacts of the project?

When applying for funding from Innovation Norway, application templates will include questions about the "Project's environmental and social effects". When relevant, Innovation Norway expects a thorough and accurate explanation of the expected impacts of the project. This is particularly important in applications for R&D-funding or start-up schemes.

Please note that this is not a requirement for obtaining funding from Innovation Norway. Projects not addressing environmental and societal challenges may also be relevant for funding from Innovation Norway. The exception is the environmental technology scheme, a funding scheme for development and demonstration of technology with an environmental impact.

Categories

Innovation Norway request information about the project's positive effects on the environment and society, compared with the best available solutions on the market.

In presenting the project’s positive impacts, either on environmental or societal challenges, please elaborate on this for the relevant subcategories – ten categories on environmental impact or four categories on societal impact. The subcategories are explained further:

Environmental impact*

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions directly or indirectly, compared with best available technology (BAT). Please compare in C02 equivalents. Alternatively, apply percentage improvement compared to BAT.

Reduction of air pollution
Solutions that improve air quality by reducing pollutants such as NOx, SO2, VOCs and particulate matter, etc. Please apply percentage improvement compared to best available technology (BAT).

Renewable energy production
Solutions that enable the implementation of renewable energy in the energy mix. Includes smart energy systems, energy storage, enabling technologies and solutions that reduce the cost of renewable energy production. Please compare with best available technology using kilowatt hours (kWh).

Waste to energy
Solutions that convert waste, sewage sludge, waste heat and exhaust gas, etc. to energy. Please compare with best available technology using kilowatt hours (kWh).

Energy efficiency
Solutions that improve energy efficiency in buildings, industry, transportation, and infrastructure, etc. Please compare with best available technology using kilowatt hours (kWh).

Improved utilisation of renewable bio-based resources
Solutions that enable sustainable use of renewable bio-based resources, preserving life on land and under water. Includes solutions that reduce resource use, recycling, longer lifespan, increased biodiversity, etc. Includes environment-friendly solutions for agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries. Please apply percentage improvement compared to best available technology (BAT).

Improved utilisation of inorganic resources, minerals and other non-renewable resources
Includes circular business models and design methods, 3D printing and other tools that provide lower resource use, longer lifespan and more efficient utilization of limited resources. Please apply percentage improvement compared to best available technology (BAT).

Material recovery
Solutions that promote the principles of the circular economy: reduce, reuse and recycle. Solutions that improve utilisation of residual raw materials. Does not include waste-to-energy solutions. Please apply percentage improvement compared to best available technology (BAT).

Water and wastewater treatment
Solutions that reduce emissions to water. Solutions for water purification, wastewater treatment and sustainable production of freshwater. Please apply percentage improvement compared to best available technology (BAT).

Reduced use of chemicals, antibiotics and other hazardous substances
Solutions that reduce the need for, replace or enable safe handling or treatment of hazardous chemicals or antibiotics, directly or indirectly. Please apply percentage improvement compared to best available technology (BAT).

Other solutions with a positive environmental impact
*For development projects, the solution must be better or more cost-effective than the best available technology (BAT) on the market. Please address the environmental effect on the actual product or production process targeted in the project. It is possible to select multiple categories.

Societal impact*

Health and well-being
Health technology, welfare technology, e-health and health-promoting food ingredients. Solutions that reduce illnesses, injuries and deaths, improve indoor air quality, and ensure access to clean water. Solutions that improve food safety and food security. Other solutions that promote healthy lives and well-being for all.

Safety and societal security
Solutions that ensure safe labour conditions in manufacturing, construction and other industries. Solutions for transport safety, fire safety, etc. Solutions that promote safer and more resilient cities and communities. Does not include weapons or weapon-related solutions.

Animal welfare and biodiversity
Solutions that improve the welfare of livestock, wild-caught and farmed fish. Solutions that protect and restore ecosystems and conserve biodiversity, etc.

Increased access to education, research and other skill development measures
Education technology and e-learning. Solutions that promote safe, nonviolent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all, enhance scientific research, or improve access to information. Does not include schools or other educational institutions.

Other solutionsthat have a positive impact on society.
For example, solutions that promote fair trade and social equality, diverity etc.

*Applies to the project result, i.e. the effects of the solution (product, production process, investment etc) targeted in the project