Grand societal challenges, dilemmas and improvements

The project studies dilemmas arising between economic, environmental and social concerns in the salmon farming industry in Norway, Canada, Australia and Chile.

A core aim of the project is to investigate diversified responses to different dilemmas and innovation dynamics. Industry actors argue that farmed salmon represents enormous opportunities for shifting human consumption towards more sustainable diets. Simultaneously, though, the salmon farming industry faces criticism from different actor groups (e.g. governments and NGOs) regarding its negative (local) environmental and social impact.

The dilemmas arising from tensions between economic, environmental and social challenges varies. In Norway the industry is under public scrutiny because of its negative environmental impact (linked to waste, sea lice and fish health). In Chile, the second largest production location of farmed salmon in the world, disease problems threaten both economic and environmental sustainability. Likewise, Australia and Canada are struggling with environmental and social effects of salmon farming.

Through mapping the global networks of leading Norwegian salmon farming firms, we intend to study intersections between salmon farming and local/regional/national dilemmas in the involved countries. In so doing, we wish to identify the innovation solutions to these tensions. Furthering this, the project aims to facilitate co-creation of knowledge between different stakeholders towards improvement of innovation practices and their sustainability (i.e. responsibility) in different contexts. This is done by setting up Responsible Innovation Labs in Norway and Chile involving participating researchers, firms, suppliers and customers, NGOs and regulating authorities. Central topics in the Labs will concern how to implement and adapt the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and linking solutions to context-specific challenges and solutions, aiming to spur responsible innovation practices in the industry.