ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥appÏÂÔØ

This collection is a cross-journal collection which will feature articles published in both Environmental ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥appÏÂÔØ: Processes & Impacts and RSC Sustainability. 

What can chemistry researchers do to realize a sustainable society? This is a multifaceted question. Chemists and chemical engineers will need to drive technological changes. For example, we need the ability to produce abundant renewable energy and to store it in batteries. Developments in carbon capture and utilization/storage processes to convert CO2 into useful materials or store permanently underground may be necessary. We need to establish new supply chains that do not rely on single-use products containing precious metals or critical raw materials. Material efficiency gains may be had by developing products and materials with multifunctionality.

In order to be clear that new products and processes are minimizing the use of hazardous substances, reducing waste and energy consumption, it is important to consider the environmental impact of each stage of chemicals’ life cycles, from raw material extraction, manufacturing and use, to recycling and recovering materials from waste sources, and the release of chemicals into the environment at each life cycle stage. Many aspects (environmental, social and economic) need to be considered during the transition to a sustainable society. In this themed collection, we would like to invite chemists and chemical engineers to contribute a wide variety of ideas and approaches to realize a sustainable society and minimise environmental impacts.

Topics

Suitable topics for this collection include, but are not limited to:

• Safe and sustainable by design principles
• Life Cycle Assessment studies
• Circular economy principles, chemical recycling and resource recovery
• Chemical alternatives assessment methods and applications
• Development and application of the essential use concept
• Environmental fate and transport of chemicals released from batteries, coal ash, lithium extraction, critical mineral mining and e-waste
• Environmental impact of renewable energy technologies
• Techno-enviro-economic analysis
• Carbon capture and utilisation
• Policy and regulatory recommendations

Articles focused on technologies for sustainable chemical production, including resource efficiency, hazardous substance reduction, recycling, and process analysis are suitable for RSC Sustainability.

Articles focused on advancing the understanding of chemical processes in the environment and their resulting impacts, including atmospheric chemistry, geochemistry and ecotoxicology are suitable for Environmental ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥appÏÂÔØ: Processes & Impacts.