An actionable definition and criteria for “sustainable chemistry” based on literature review and a global multisectoral stakeholder working group

Abstract

The chemistries and chemical processes used today and practiced over the last 100 years have resulted in innovative materials and products that have significantly contributed to economic development, public health, and improved quality of life. However, many of these chemical innovations have detrimentally impacted (and continue to impact) workers, communities, ecosystems, and the climate throughout their lifecycles. Many efforts to improve safety and sustainability have occurred in recent decades; however, there is not yet a global consensus on the meaning and understanding of “sustainable chemistry”, which is needed to guide industries, governments, academia, and others in innovation, investments, and policy while avoiding regrettable substitutions and discouraging greenwashing. A landscape review of forty-five literature sources was undertaken to support a global, multisectoral twenty-member Expert Committee on Sustainable Chemistry (ECOSChem) in the development of a robust and actionable definition and criteria for “sustainable chemistry”, which was refined through external feedback. The landscape review, ECOSChem process, and final outputs are summarized herein, and the future applications and outlook for this work are discussed.