25^th Anniversary Celebration of Green Chemistry

Abstract

Launched in 1999 with the vision of advancing environmentally conscious science, Green Chemistry has become a leading global journal at the heart of sustainable chemistry research. This editorial celebrates 25 years of the journal's founding principles and recent initiatives aimed at supporting the next generation of green research. A global series of 25th anniversary symposia have strengthened dialogue across academia, industry, and regions. With refreshed Editorial and Advisory Boards, Green Chemistry remains committed to setting standards, fostering collaboration, and enabling chemistry that responds meaningfully to global challenges. As we look to the future, our mission is to empower the community to move from aspiration to action to build a more inclusive, transformative, and impactful field.

Foundations of Green Chemistry

The idea for a green chemistry journal originated from James Clark, Founding Director of the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at the University of York. He was very aware of the significant global impacts of both chemical research and the chemical industry throughout the 20^th century and, as the 21^st century approached, he conceived the idea of launching a journal that would elucidate the methods and motivations for chemists to make tangible differences to society through greener, more sustainable and efficient chemical procedures.

In 1999, this idea materialised with the launch of Green Chemistry, a groundbreaking publication backed by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). From its outset, the journal aimed to lead the discourse on clean, environmentally conscious and sustainable chemistry, a status it still maintains to this day. The journal has had significant impact across many sectors, for example the new launch contributed to the change in name of the Gordon Conference from “Environmentally Benign Organic Synthesis” to “Green Chemistry” to reflect the wider audience and relevance of Green Chemistry.

Since its launch Green Chemistry has been at the frontier of this ever-evolving discipline, helping to connect researchers across the globe, and continually improving its reach and impact in the community. The global focus on green and sustainable chemistry becomes more apparent year on year with greater and greater impact, for example the https://research.un.org/en/docs/dev/2000-2015, the https://sdgs.un.org/goals, and the https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement. These responses to global issues all draw on the foundational clean and environmentally conscious approaches that the green chemistry community have promoted for over 25 years.

After 25 years, Green Chemistry is established as the journal in its field (Fig. 1). We aim for Green Chemistry to always be at the forefront of green and sustainable research, working with the community to establish standards across disciplines and to foster a culture that considers the wider impact of research beyond pure science.

Fig. 1 A timeline showing the history of Green Chemistry.

When Javier Pérez-Ramírez succeeded Philip Jessop as Chair of the Editorial Board in 2023, we agreed on a range of actions to promote the journal and engage with the community. Some of these projects could address issues raised by the community and partners in industry and government and some were to celebrate 25 years of Green Chemistry.

Green Foundation box

In December 2024, we introduced the Green Foundation box as a requirement for all submitted articles (Fig. 2). A lot of work went into announcing the change in advance of the implementation and the Editorial Board worked hard to provide many examples for authors and editors to refer to. This feature is intended to provide a concise way for authors to contextualise their work in terms of the green principles applied and the wider sustainability/societal impact, and to provide metrics to quantify the advance of their work for editors, reviewers, and readers.

Fig. 2 More information on the Green Foundation box can be found in our Editorial.

Authors are asked to address three questions (dependant on article type) by using a total of 140 words or fewer. This box is presented to the editor and reviewers to help them ascertain the green advance that the work presents. If a manuscript is accepted this box will also be published.

Methods, Models and Metrics

As part of the same action to support authors in clarifying the greenness and sustainability of their work, we launched a living collection of https://rsc.li/measuringgchem. Curated by André Bardow, Serenella Sala, Luigi Vaccaro, and Javier Pérez-Ramírez, the cross-journal collection features examples taken from across the RSC portfolio and is intended as a guide and accessible resource for the whole chemical community, while helping authors to measure, compare, and describe the advantages and disadvantages of introducing green chemistry principles and approaches in their work (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3 Our curated Methods, Models and Metrics articles can be found in our https://rsc.li/measuringgchem.

New and improved methodology, examples and best practices will be added as they appear in the literature and examples that are superseded will be removed from the collection to ensure that it remains up to date as a valuable reference for researchers. More information about this initiative can be found https://rsc.li/measuringgchem and in the Editorial.

25^th Anniversary themed collection

In celebration of our 25^th anniversary, we launched a themed collection Guest Edited by key figures in green chemistry, Paul Anastas, John Warner, Charlotte Williams, Martina Peters, Helen Sneddon and Javier Pérez-Ramírez (Fig. 4). This collection contains invited contributions from members of the green chemistry community, as well as past and present Green Chemistry Board members.

Fig. 4 Excellent and insightful publications can be found in the https://rsc.li/Green25.

25^th Anniversary symposia: a global celebration of community and commitment

Rather than marking Green Chemistry's 25th anniversary with a single centralised event, we took a different path – one that reflects our values as a journal and as a community. Large gatherings often bring people together but at a significant environmental cost, especially through long-haul travel. Instead, we invited members of our Editorial Board to host local, in-person events at their home institutions, supporting regional participation and reducing the carbon footprint of celebration.

These symposia, inspired by the model of the https://iupac.org/gwb/ and https://www.gcs-day.org/, became more than anniversary markers. They were vibrant, collaborative spaces for scientific exchange, community reflection, and forward-thinking dialogue. With the invaluable support of our Editorial Board, we were able to present our initiatives, the Green Foundation box and Methods, Models and Metrics, while also learning from attendees across academia and industry.

Each symposium added a unique thread to the story of Green Chemistry's growth and global relevance (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5 A succession of excellent events driven by the green chemistry community.

Tao Zhang – Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, China

On 21 April 2024, the symposium “Biorefinery Empowering a Low-Carbon Society” convened leaders from across China's scientific landscape. Hosted by Tao Zhang, the event featured 7 Academicians, 14 NSFC Distinguished Professors, and senior university leaders. Delivered in Chinese, the programme centred on biomass conversion and green innovation. Reflections on the journal's early years, alongside over 100 000 online views, underscored Green Chemistry's legacy and continued influence.

Javier Pérez-Ramírez & André Bardow – ETH Zurich, Switzerland

On 30 May 2024, “Green Chemistry x NCCR Catalysis: Towards Sustainable Chemistry” brought together academic and industrial voices from across Europe. The day included talks on fragrance chemistry, catalysis, and policy, with lively discussion in a student-led panel co-moderated by Green Chemistry's Executive Editor. The symposium concluded with a birthday cake reception and was livestreamed for wider access.

Helen Sneddon – University of York, UK

On 24 June 2024, York's Department of Chemistry hosted a symposium co-sponsored by the RSC and Asynt. Led by Helen Sneddon, the programme showcased 11 talks on topics including biomass valorisation and electrochemistry and launched the university's new Green and Sustainable Chemistry Research Theme. A vibrant poster session added depth, with postgraduate contributions and a strong focus on lab sustainability.

Aiwen Lei – Wuhan University, China

On 21 December 2024, “Green Synthesis Driving Smart Low-Carbon Manufacturing” was held in Wuhan, co-organised by Aiwen Lei and the RSC China team. The event celebrated the journal's impact in China, with speakers reflecting on their connection to the journal and its role in shaping green chemistry. Enthusiasm for deeper engagement with Green Chemistry was evident throughout.

François Jérôme – ISGC 2025, La Rochelle, France

At the 2025 “International Symposium on Green Chemistry” in La Rochelle, the journal's anniversary was marked by a keynote from Aiwen Lei, a panel discussion featuring Tom Welton, Serenella Sala, Susannah L. Scott and Jean-Paul Lange, and a welcome address from the Executive Editor. Organised with support from François Jérôme, the event also spotlighted the 25th Anniversary Themed Collection. The Green Chemistry booth was a hub of activity, and we were pleased to co-sponsor three poster prizes in collaboration with RSC Sustainability.

Luigi Vaccaro – GCD3, Siena, Italy

At the “Green Chemistry meets Drug Discovery & Development” conference in Siena, Green Chemistry celebrated its anniversary with a warm and productive event organised by Luigi Vaccaro. Talks and networking spanned academic and industrial perspectives, and the highlight was a round table discussion, “Rethinking Chemistry for a Sustainable Future”, featuring John Warner, Werngard Czechtizky, Vincent Bordas, and the Executive Editor. We were proud to co-sponsor three poster prizes with RSC Pharmaceutics.

Keiichi Tomishige – Osaka University, Japan

Looking ahead, “Green Chemistry and Catalysis in Japan” will be held on 14 November 2025 at Osaka University. Organised by Keiichi Tomishige, Tomoo Mizugaki, and Hisao Yoshida, the event promises an exciting scientific programme and an opportunity to connect with the Japanese green chemistry community. If you would like to join them, be immersed in innovative science and network with excellent colleagues, please consider registering through our event page.

 

From Dalian to York, Zurich to La Rochelle, these symposia have done more than mark a milestone, they have energised and connected our community around the world (Fig. 6). They have allowed us to share our direction, receive feedback, and reflect together on the role of chemistry in creating a more sustainable future. Most importantly, they reaffirm our belief that Green Chemistry is part of an incredible community of people working, locally and globally, to make chemistry a force for good.

Fig. 6 A selection of photos from the 25^th anniversary events.

The challenges we face, climate change, resource scarcity, environmental degradation, are urgent and global. So too must be our response. As we look ahead, Green Chemistry will continue to lead by example: setting expectations, supporting innovation, and enabling meaningful impact through chemistry. Our recent initiatives are designed to support this mission, helping researchers navigate complexity while driving progress.

We are grateful to our Editorial and Advisory Boards, our authors, reviewers, readers, and partners for their continued trust and collaboration. Together, we look forward to shaping the next chapter of Green Chemistry – one that is even more ambitious, inclusive, and transformative.

 

Michael Rowan, Executive Editor, Green Chemistry

Andrea Carolina Ojeda Porras, Development Editor, Green Chemistry

E-mail: green-rsc@rsc.org

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