Royal Society of Chemistry sets out ambitious new sustainability strategy
We have published our first sustainability strategy, setting out our vision of a sustainable future and roles in driving impact towards the UN SDGs.
The sustainability strategy is a culmination of insights from across and beyond the global chemistry community. It reflects growing momentum on sustainability locally and globally, and the determination that shone through from within the chemistry community.
The strategy also articulates the roles the RSC plays in driving sustainability impacts across its programmes and products, from sustainable labs and quantifying ‘greenness’ to optimising today’s technologies and making those of tomorrow safe and sustainable by design.
This strategy is a key step in setting out our understanding of sustainability as being about people, planet and profit. By sharing this strategy, we want to spark conversations and accelerate collective efforts to maximise the contributions of the global chemistry community to a sustainable future.
Deirdre Black, Royal Society of Chemistry Head of Science, whose team led the research and engagement behind the development of the strategy, said: “We developed this strategy by listening to people with a huge range of expertise and perspectives, by looking at broader trends and approaches – and all the while engaging with our trustees and employees to identify where the RSC can have greatest impact for sustainability.
"In addition to surfacing and connecting what we already do, the strategy gives us a future-looking framework for where to focus and collaborate to truly make a difference."
Our strategy
Our sustainability strategy sets out our understanding of the role of chemistry in sustainability and our plans to drive impact towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By sharing our strategy, we want to spark conversations, connect with partners and accelerate collective efforts to maximise the contributions of the global chemistry community to a sustainable future.
Learn more about our sustainability programmes and activities
Endorsement from chemistry leaders
Leading members of our community have fed in their thoughts on the launch of the strategy.
Our sustainability strategy reflects the momentum in the global chemical sciences community to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It sets out our ambition to deliver lasting impact through leadership and partnership – from advancing scientific discovery and its application, to convening communities and driving meaningful change.
Dr Helen Pain, Royal Society of Chemistry Chief Executive
Chemical industries play a vital role in our path to a sustainable future. Chemistry discovery and innovation underpin sustainable processes and products in everything from biotech to big tech. Partnership across sectors, disciplines and global value chains is key to achieving change and navigating the short and long-term trade-offs between environment, society and economy.
Dr Annette Doherty, Royal Society of Chemistry President
Our member networks are fundamental to the impact we deliver, from events on the energy transition and sustainable feedstocks, to prizes showcasing advances in sustainability R&D. Member expertise underpins our work on sustainable laboratories transformation and our influence on chemicals, waste and pollution policy. As we tackle global sustainability challenges, we will continue to amplify the voice of the chemical sciences and ensure that our members’ experience and insights drive change for chemistry and the world.
Jonathan Oxley, Royal Society of Chemistry Member Communities Board Chair and CBI (Confederation of British Industry) senior manager
Addressing the complex sustainability challenges we face demands a holistic approach, embracing digitisation, multi-disciplinarity and systems thinking. The RSC portfolio of journals and books reflects our commitment to the dissemination of high quality and high impact research alongside ethical standards, data availability and editorial practices that actively support chemists to embed sustainability into their research.
Magda Titirici, Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing Board Chair and Professor of Sustainable Energy Materials, Imperial College London
By embedding sustainability into our degree accreditation and Chartered Chemist criteria, we set clear and ambitious standards to ensure that chemists have the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to deliver solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. This dynamic chemistry profession is key to resilience and growth for individuals, society, science and the economy.
David Smith, Royal Society of Chemistry Chair of Professional Standards Board, University of Swansea Executive Dean and Pro Vice Chancellor
More information
Find out more about the Royal Society of Chemistry’s new sustainability strategy on our new dedicated webpage.