Collections
Sustainability
In this collection we explore sustainable solutions for addressing global challenges, covering interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability, including renewable energy sources, green chemistry, reducing waste and emissions, circular economy principles, and solutions for a low carbon and net zero future.
Sustainable labs
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Sustainable laboratories report uncovers what chemists are already doing to reduce the environmental footprint of their research, while at the same time continuing to deliver the ground-breaking discoveries and innovation that make the world a better place. This report shares the barriers and trade-offs they face in making sustainability-related changes, and the many opportunities for collaboration and other positive action.
The Royal Society of Chemistry also curated a special collection of research from its journals that showcases some of the innovative approaches to reduce the environmental impact of research, from solvent selection guides to machine learning approaches and more.
The labs pointing to a greener future for Africa
Tackling climate is not just a job for scientists in more developed countries. Munyaradzi Makoni talks to researchers in Kenya and South Africa to find out more
The RSC’s climate challenge
The Royal Society of Chemistry aims to use Cop26 as a springboard to a more sustainable future. Rachel Brazil reports
Sustainable lab buildings
After a decade of grassroots growth, the laboratory sustainability movement is bursting into the mainstream finds James Mitchell Crow
It's even cheaper being green
Reducing the environmental impact of your lab can save money as well as water and fuel. Phillip Broadwith reports
Making strides in sustainable laboratories: Examples of recent initiatives
Innovating for the future of sustainable labs
Chemists want help to cut the environmental footprint of their labs
Setting the standard for calculating indirect emissions
Labs’ carbon footprint under scrutiny as tool calculates impact of buildings and scientists
Majority of top chemicals on market deemed environmentally unsustainable by new metric
Green chemistry
Research
Filter paper simplifies squaramide synthesis
Capillary-driven flow distributes reagents evenly
Research
Seed oil-based polymer should survive a day in the rain but degrade within years in the sea
Researchers create polyesteramides from brassylic acid and explore their potential as a replacement for polyethylene
Opinion
Paul Anastas: ‘I’m proudest of being part of a global green chemistry community’
The father of green chemistry on his love of the environment, striving for unattainable perfection and breathing life into an old town library
Opinion
Science needs to get its house in order when it comes to energy use and waste
Labs have an outsized environmental footprint but solutions are within reach
Redox reactions ‘mine’ old fluorescent light bulbs for europium
Biomass, plastic waste and carbon dioxide feedstocks key to cutting chemical industry’s emissions
Chemists funded to cut the environmental footprint of their labs
Analysis of three French chemistry labs shows how they could halve their carbon footprint by 2030
Sponsored
Setting new standards for British laboratories
Lab Innovations brings together experts from all corners of the industry
A formula to calculate carbon
World’s leading chemical companies spearhead initiative to decarbonise supply chains
Lab Innovations 2023 lays the path for smart and sustainable labs
The UK’s only trade fair for the whole lab industry forges the way to sustainability and innovation
ResearchFilter paper simplifies squaramide synthesis
Capillary-driven flow distributes reagents evenly
OpinionMulti-disciplinary scientists are ready to solve global chemical pollution
Are governments ready to act?
OpinionNew materials for sustainable fabrics
Textiles based on agricultural waste, algae and fungi are being developed to improve the environmental impact of the fashion industry
BusinessBiomanufacturing proliferates in chemicals
Fermentation can improve sustainability at competitive costs
ResearchCareful catalyst design boosts ethanol to hydrogen production
The reaction also generates acetic acid and its developers believe it can compete economically with current manufacturing processes
ResearchSeed oil-based polymer should survive a day in the rain but degrade within years in the sea
Researchers create polyesteramides from brassylic acid and explore their potential as a replacement for polyethylene
NewsMaterials strategy for UK needs chemistry to succeed and create new industries
Ten-year plan proposed by Henry Royce Institute aims to boost productivity and support the circular economy
ResearchPhase-changing crystals could cut air-conditioning’s climate impact
Organic ionic plastic crystals show a ’colossal’ entropy change when undergoing a pressure-induced phase transition
ResearchCarbon dioxide converted into carbon nanotube-based 3D printer ink
New process uses waste carbon dioxide to produce nanocomposite materials
ResearchElectrochemical process that bypasses limestone could slash cement’s huge carbon footprint
Gigaton-scale carbon reductions offered by process that makes use of carbon-free calcium silicates from abundant minerals and recycled concrete
BusinessChemicals industry roundup 2024
Europe continues to struggle with high energy and feedstock costs, while US and Asia negotiate supply gluts
BusinessOpposition to lithium mines hampers green technology supply chain
Europe and US seek to escape Chinese dominance in critical minerals
FeatureHow tyres are turning green
As the shift to using renewable and recycled materials in car tyres accelerates, Nina Notman talks to the manufacturers driving the change
BusinessNorthvolt bankruptcy dents European battery industry ambitions
Swedish startup aimed to challenge Asian producers, but stumbled in scaling production
OpinionChemistry will support India’s sustainability ambitions
Chemistry is central to addressing challenges across a range of sectors
OpinionPaul Anastas: ‘I’m proudest of being part of a global green chemistry community’
The father of green chemistry on his love of the environment, striving for unattainable perfection and breathing life into an old town library
OpinionChemistry is paving the path to net zero
From energy and materials to food and transport, the central science is having an impact
OpinionSodium-ion batteries could deliver India’s net zero ambitions
The promising energy storage alternative still faces a number of challenges
OpinionTeaching chemistry in the context of climate science
Changes to India’s undergraduate curriculum could be transformative
OpinionTransforming food waste management in India
Challenges, innovations and the path to reducing waste
OpinionSmart sensors can help deliver India’s net zero targets
Metal oxide–polymer composites offer a nanotech sensing solution
OpinionBuilding community-centric technology from the ground up
In India’s Uttarkhand state, public engagement has been the key to adopting new technology
OpinionCan tax deductions enable sustainable citizen-driven green finance?
India’s income tax framework could provide the means for direct public investment
OpinionInternational lessons for designing India’s emissions trading scheme
How to make sure the country’s cap and trade system succeeds