Issue 7, 2023

Chemistry and pathways to net zero for sustainability

Abstract

Chemistry needs to play a central role in achieving ‘net zero’ emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere to prevent changes to the climate that will have catastrophic impacts for humanity and for many ecosystems on the planet. International action to limit global warming to 1.5 °C has framed as a key goal the reduction of global emissions to as close to zero as possible by 2050, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere. Chemistry underpins innovative approaches to reducing emission of the key GHGs, comprising CO2, CH4, N2O and fluorinated gases, and to the recapture of gases already in the atmosphere. Rapid progress is needed in the application of green and sustainable chemistry and material circularity principles in developing these approaches worldwide. Of critical importance will be the incorporation of systems thinking, recognition of planetary boundaries that define safe operating spaces for Earth systems, and an overall reorientation of chemistry towards its roles in stewardship of the Earth's material resources and in sustainability for people and the planet.

Graphical abstract: Chemistry and pathways to net zero for sustainability

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
25 Apr 2023
Accepted
21 Sep 2023
First published
26 Sep 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Sustain., 2023,1, 1704-1721

Chemistry and pathways to net zero for sustainability

S. A. Matlin, G. Mehta, S. E. Cornell, A. Krief and H. Hopf, RSC Sustain., 2023, 1, 1704 DOI: 10.1039/D3SU00125C

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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