Waving the green flag: incorporating sustainable and green chemistry practices into research and education

Abstract

Education and research in green chemistry has become an increasingly important topic in recent years. However, definitions and understanding of sustainability metrics and strategies remains unclear in many fields. Similarly, the link between sustainability in chemistry and chemistry's impact on society is often overlooked. Using methods like systems thinking, life cycle analysis, and green chemistry principles, researchers can begin to probe the sustainability of chemical systems. Developing a stronger understanding of the roles of various stakeholders in policy creation is likewise imperative in the integration of data driven policy towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and chemistry for net-zero. Together, with a stronger background in sustainable development, researchers and policymakers can carve a path towards a more sustainable global future. Herein, we describe a series of inquiry-based and gamified active learning techniques applied during the “Waving the Green Flag” symposium hosted at the 2024 Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition. Activities are focused on exploring the methods described above through a polymer chemistry approach, a hot topic in current sustainability research. The activities work to guide participants in the development and implementation of green chemistry initiatives into their own research and practice while providing an entry point to explore the bridge between academic research and policy. Recommendations for activity adaptations for classroom applications are provided.