Chemistry & Sustainability
For more than a century, chemistry has enabled solutions to some of the world’s most daunting sustainability challenges. Products, processes and technologies that many of us take for granted today, like clean drinking water, pasteurization and vaccines, began as breakthroughs in chemistry.
Over time, our challenges have grown more complex as we seek to sustain the health and well-being of Earth’s growing population and its natural environment.
Today, one of the greatest challenges our global society faces is addressing climate change and its impacts. To combat negative impacts on climate, we must reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in our own operations and in society as a whole, and chemistry is a key power behind lower carbon, renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.
Other areas of critical importance include air and water quality, the safety of the products we manufacture, and the need to conserve Earth’s resources while developing products and technologies that will benefit and advance society.
This commitment to create a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future is both the right thing to do – and it’s also good for the bottom line. The U.S. chemical industry can be more economically competitive on a global scale and more efficient as it cuts waste and reduces environmental impact. Our companies can build deeper relationships with employees, consumers and residents in the communities where we do business. And it won’t stop here – our members are committed to continually building on these efforts.
A sustainable future will need commitments from individuals, communities, governments, business and industry. The chemical industry is committed to being part of the solution.
