Sustainability

The topic of a sustainable future is wide-reaching and long term in nature. Our current focus is on influencing policy on chemicals, resources and waste management, and environmental protection, which are priority areas for the chemical sciences globally. Our aim is to make sure chemicals, resources and waste, and environment policies are informed by the best comprehensive science, showcasing the contribution of the chemical sciences to more sustainable development, achieving a circular economy and creating a healthy environment for healthy people.

Further reading:

→ Environment policies

1. Chemicals management - UK and global policy

   The RSC continues to advocate for a UK-wide chemicals framework that achieves a balance between nurturing innovation, protecting the environment and human health, and is harmonised with global regulations to enable the UK to trade internationally. We call for an authoritative, consolidated and fully resourced UK Chemicals Agency that can act with clarity and build strong relationships with other chemicals agencies around the world.

   Our latest work on UK chemicals policy:
   - Environment Bill amendments briefing on UK REACH: The Government's Environment Bill sets out new provisions about targets, plans and policies relating to regulation of chemicals. Building on our extensive work with the scientific community, in November 2020 we provided a briefing to members of parliament with suggested amendments relating to chemicals regulation. Future decision-making for chemicals must be transparent and be informed by the best science.
   - Policy position on ‘Risk-based regulation for Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)’: This policy position, published in September 2020, is intended to inform the continuing debates on regulation for EDCs. It represents a perspective following an expert round table involving the UK scientific community. As the UK has left the EU, it is necessary for the UK to decide how it will regulate EDCs in the context of promoting globally harmonised regulation, informed by collaborative science and research evidence. We advocate for risk-based regulation for EDCs.
   - Policy position on ‘A chemicals strategy for a sustainable chemicals revolution’: In 2020, we engaged with scientists in our community to develop our vision for what a good chemicals strategy looks like, as relevant to any nation in principle. We identified four pillars on which any chemicals strategy has to be based: education, innovation, circular economy and regulation. National governments must invest in these areas and create a responsible framework of action for chemicals management.
   - Consultation response on ‘Toxic chemicals in everyday life’: In March 2019 we responded to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life. In managing the risks from chemicals we highlight the need for transparent decision-making principles, independent scientific advice mechanisms, globally harmonised outcomes and development of biomonitoring.
   - Thought starter on ‘Principles for the management of chemicals in the environment’: In September 2018 we developed a thought starter document covering the ‘principles for the management of chemicals in the environment’ that our community considers are important to the development of new environment policy. This document was produced in collaboration with members of our Environment and Regulation Collective. Any new chemicals framework must be established on a core set of values and principles.

   
   Global chemicals policy

   As the UK develops its presence on the global stage, the RSC is leading the voice of science in discussions at the UN level. The UN are in the process of developing the ‘Beyond 2020 Vision’ for the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (UN SAICM). During the past decade, it has been realised by the UN that the involvement of the scientific community in UN SAICM has been too limited, as is reflected in the Global Chemicals Outlook II report. We call for an intergovernmental panel for chemicals to be established to address this gap.

   Our latest work on global chemicals policy:
   - Policy position on a new intergovernmental panel for chemicals and waste: In October 2020, we published a position calling for a new panel on chemicals, on a par with the IPCC for climate change and IPBES for biodiversity loss. Such establishment of a new panel for chemicals would fill a gap in science advice in this globally important area.

2. Resources and waste policy

   The chemical sciences play an important role in understanding the environment around us, including preventing and remediating the adverse impacts of waste from human activity. Drawing on evidence from chemical scientists working on these issues, we call for the implementation of waste and resource strategies across all devolved nations of the United Kingdom to follow the waste hierarchy (reduce, reuse, recycle).

   Our latest work on resources and waste policy:
   - Environment Bill amendments briefing on future wastes: The Government's Environment Bill sets out new provisions about targets, plans and policies relating to waste and resource efficiency. Building on our extensive work with the scientific community, in November 2020, we provided a briefing to members of parliament with suggested amendments relating to future wastes.
   - Principles for implementing future waste strategies: We developed a set of policy recommendations summarised in our ‘principles for implementing future waste strategies’ that our community considers are important to the development of waste and resources policy to protect the environment and unlock the opportunities of the circular economy. These principles were developed drawing on evidence from our Environment, Sustainability and Energy Division, our Materials Chemistry Division and chemical scientists in our community working on these issues and first published in September 2019.

   
   Plastic waste

   Plastic is a versatile material that forms a key component of many products we use today. It is durable, cheap to produce, and has become ubiquitous with ‘single use’ items, which is why when it comes to its end of life it has become a major environmental problem. The chemical sciences have a key role to play in finding solutions to this problem. Drawing on evidence from chemical scientists working in this area, we call for the use of lifecycle based considerations to inform decisions on material and product choices.

   Our latest work on plastic waste policy:
   - Report on ‘Science to enable sustainable plastics’: The 8th Chemical Sciences and Society Summit (CS3) meeting is summarized in this report, published in June 2020. The work covers research in the areas of plastics’ impact, new sustainable plastics, the recyclability of plastics, and the degradation of plastics. The meeting brought together more than 30 scientists from four participating countries.
   - Policy position on ‘Plastic waste’: This policy position, published in September 2019, is part of a policy pack that we developed drawing on evidence from our Materials Chemistry Division and chemical scientists in our community working on this issue. It covers ‘principles for management of plastic waste’ that our community considers are important to the development of waste and resources policy to protect the environment and unlock the opportunities of the circular economy.
   - Report on ‘Sustainable plastics – the role of chemistry’: In response to the growing awareness of the impact of plastic waste in the environment, the RSC Materials Chemistry Division hosted a roundtable discussion meeting in March 2019. The meeting brought together stakeholders from across the chemical sciences research community to contribute their views on the future for sustainable plastics, and on the contribution that the chemical sciences will make.

   
   E-waste & Critical Raw Materials (CRMs)

   Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is the fastest-growing waste stream on the planet. WEEE has a high content of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), materials that are important to an economy and that are, or could become difficult to get hold of. The chemical sciences have a key role to play in finding solutions to avoid CRM shortages. Drawing on evidence from chemical scientists working in this area, we call for CRMs to be tracked as a priority in the national waste tracking system combined with the National Materials Datahub, to identify the fates of CRMs in the UK.

   Our latest work on e-waste policy and critical raw materials:
   - Policy position on ‘recovering the critical raw materials in batteries’: This policy position was published in September 2022 and was developed in conjunction with experts in our community. It covers our asks to enable the recovery of critical raw materials from batteries in the UK.
   - Video briefing for MPs on ‘Saving key elements to a green future’: In November 2020, we participated in Sense About Science’s Evidence Week. Together with Dr Matthew Davies and Dr Rhys Charles from SPECIFIC IKC, Swansea University, and Dr Ena Bradley from Seren Technologies, we talked to MPs and parliamentary staff about the importance of saving precious elements to achieve a green transition.
   - Consultation response on ‘Electronic waste and the circular economy’: In May 2020, following on from our policy work on critical raw materials and our successful Elements in Danger campaign, we were invited to provide written evidence as well as attend a session to give oral evidence on the Electronic Waste and the Circular Economy inquiry by the House of Commons’ Environmental Audit Committee. Our recommendations were reflected in the committee’s final report.
   - Policy position on ‘Critical raw materials in waste electrical and electronic equipment’: This policy position, published in September 2019, is part of a policy pack that we developed drawing on evidence from our Environment, Sustainability and Energy Division and chemical scientists in our community working on this issue. It covers ‘principles for the management of critical raw materials in e-waste’ that our community considers important to the development of waste and resources policy to protect the environment and unlock the opportunities of the circular economy.
   - Consultation response to Net Zero Review. In October 2022, we responded to the UK government's call for evidence for the Review of Net Zero on questions addressed to businesses, the public and academics. Our response focuses in particular on critical raw materials, a circular economy of materials, skills needs for the net zero transition, air quality, and future innovation.

3. Protecting environmental and human health

   Human health, the environment in which we live and our impact upon it are interlinked. This is reflected in many environmental and health policies, such as those related to air quality, water quality, food standards and standards for products. These policies seek to manage exposure to hazardous chemicals and reduce environmental pollution and the adverse effects on human health. The chemical sciences have an important role to play in contributing to policies that aim to protect environmental and human health for the benefit of society.

   Our latest work on environmental policy:
   - Consultation response on ‘Environmental targets’: In June 2022 we responded to the UK Government’s consultation on its proposed targets, a commitment under the Environment Act 2021. We submitted evidence in relation to its proposed targets for improving air quality and in waste and resources.
   - Policy position on ‘Sustainable water’: This policy position, published in March 2020, developed in collaboration with our community and representatives from across the water sector, outlines the actions that are needed to achieve clean and plentiful water for all.
   - Consultation response on ‘Clean air strategy’: In August 2018 we submitted a response, developed in collaboration with our members, to the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs consultation on the Draft Clean Air Strategy 2018.

   
   Chemistry versus COVID-19

   The COVID-19 pandemic poses a huge global challenge to human health and wellbeing. Chemical scientists are playing an important role in tackling this challenge.

   Informed by our community’s expertise and experience, we have responded to a number of inquiries by the House of Commons and House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committees:
   - Response to the Joint Health and Social Care Committee and Science & Technology committee inquiry into lessons learnt so far in the COVID-19 response (November 2020)
   - Response to the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee inquiry into the role of technology, research and innovation in the COVID-19 recovery (September 2020)
   - Response to the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee inquiry into UK science, research and technology capability and influence in global disease outbreaks (July 2020)
   - Response to the House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committee inquiry into the science of COVID-19 (July 2020)