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
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
Research
Redox reactions ‘mine’ old fluorescent light bulbs for europium
In just three simple steps rare earth element can be recovered, avoiding ‘ecologically devastating’ mining
News
Biomass, plastic waste and carbon dioxide feedstocks key to cutting chemical industry’s emissions
Royal Society report warns that without intervention defossilisation of the chemicals sector will take many decades
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
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
OpinionHow can chemistry help developing countries decarbonise their economies?
The central science offers opportunities for energy, buildings, industry and transport
OpinionCreating carbon sinks in India: a law and policy perspective
India’s history of protecting its forests will be vital for its future
ResearchHow ‘magic mud’ gives baseball pitchers a better grip
Unique mud formula coats and roughens baseballs, boosting control and grip for pitchers
BusinessCarbon capture making slow progress in UK and Europe
Government funding welcomed, but issues over strategy and CO2 purity persist
ResearchSunlight-powered device harvests lithium from salty water
Low-energy device is a ‘step forward’ for sustainable lithium mining
ResearchHow F1 plans to transition to ‘100% sustainable fuel’
Rule changes intend to make Formula One more environmentally friendly from 2026. But what are the changes, and can a sport known for gas-guzzling engines really go green?
FeatureSeaweed success
Scientists and entrepreneurs are sowing the seeds for a new kind of industry. Hayley Bennett explores the buzz around the marine ‘biorefinery’ business – and what might hold it back
BusinessElectrification of process heat stands to slash industry’s emissions
Technologies available now can decarbonise most heat demand, but cost and infrastructure barriers still exist
NewsCarbon capture gets personalised touch to match best tech with right location
Holistic analysis combines models and experiments to find the sorbent that works for each industrial site
ResearchElectrocatalyst-in-a-box recycles nitrogen species to produce ammonia from wastewater
Electrochemical catalytic system can handle real wastewater
OpinionScience 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
ResearchMechanochemistry adds fluorine to discarded polystyrene
Proof-of-concept trifluoromethylation study attempts post-consumer plastic waste challenge
NewsHow can your lab cut water use in reflux reactions?
Practical advice builds on a new study comparing air-cooled condensers