From biodegradable replacements for plastic to environmentally-friendly paint, sustainable chemistry opens the door to products that avoid the use and production of harmful substances.
Germany’s new International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre, or ISC3, is working to develop concepts that help developing countries manage chemicals and waste sustainably and will share best practices worldwide.
The centre, which opened in Bonn in May, also supports ideas for sustainable chemistry business models through training and access to investors.
A network for start-ups working on green and sustainable chemistry was kicked off at a workshop in September 2017 organised with UN Environment and the UN Industrial Development Organisation.
The German government invested €1.7 million in the centre for 2017 and from 2018 will invest €2.4 million each year.
While chemicals have benefits for human society, they also have significant harmful impacts. Over 100,000 people die annually from exposure to asbestos, and lead in paint is known to affect children’s IQ for example, while the full range of impacts of many types of chemicals are unknown.
The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), whose Secretariat is hosted by UN Environment, supports the development of legislation, risk reduction and information-sharing, among other work.
The sound management of chemicals and waste is a specific target under Global Goal 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production. It also contributes to Goal 3 on health and Goal 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation.
The International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre, or ISC3, was opened by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety and the country’s Environment Agency. Read more here.
On 4-6 December, all sectors of society pledged solutions for fighting pollution at the third UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi. Learn about the outcomes from the third UN Environment Assembly here.
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