The information found within this e-course builds on UNEP's Green and Sustainable Chemistry Framework Manual. The e-course was developed by UNEP in collaboration with UNITAR, in consultation with experts from industry, academia, government, international organizations and NGO’s. The overall aim of the e-course is to unveil the full potential of chemistry such that it is compatible with, and supports, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It aims to teach learners “what” Green and Sustainable Chemistry is, “why” it is needed, “what” it aims to achieve and “how” stakeholders can achieve a transformation towards its underlying vision. The course is targeted at national chemicals officials and education institutions but does not require specialised chemical knowledge and is intended to be of interest to a broad range of sectors and stakeholders along the chemical value chain from chemicals design, production and use to final disposal. After taking the course, participants will be able to: Understand what Green and Sustainable Chemistry is. Describe the 10 Objectives and Guiding Considerations for Green and Sustainable Chemistry. Understand the roles different stakeholders can play to advance Green and Sustainable Chemistry. Discuss how educators can advance Green and Sustainable Chemistry. Understand the links between chemistry and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and how the 10 Objectives can advance circularity. Explain the potential of Green and Sustainable Chemistry to drive sustainability in different sectors of the economy. Describe key policies, tools and instruments that can be used to foster an enabling environment for Green and Sustainable Chemistry. Understand the importance of metrics and reporting for monitoring and measuring impact.
Water scarcity is reshaping sustainable construction priorities. The UN’s warning of a potential “water bankruptcy” has turned resource management into a determinant of asset value and risk. Developers in drought‑prone regions are embedding sustainable building design principles into every decision, using whole life carbon assessment and lifecycle assessment to guide material selection and infrastructure planning. The shift towards resilient, low‑carbon building frameworks places environmental sustainability in construction at the core of strategic planning, tying water resilience directly to whole life carbon performance and life cycle cost.
India’s reconstruction challenges highlight the environmental impact of construction when degraded slopes and drainage systems are ignored. Integrating eco‑design for buildings and sustainable building practices across hazardous sites reduces embodied carbon in materials and strengthens community resilience. Circular economy in construction strategies and end‑of‑life reuse in construction are expanding, minimising the carbon footprint of construction while advancing resource efficiency in construction at scale.
Private capital is accelerating sustainable architecture transitions. The comprehensive modernisation of corporate campuses demonstrates how net zero whole life carbon goals and green construction policies are driving deep investment in energy‑efficient buildings. Low embodied carbon materials and renewable building materials feature prominently in designs targeting BREEAM and BREEAM v7 certification, proving that sustainable material specification is now central to investment‑grade property portfolios.
Housing innovators adopting circular economy principles and green infrastructure are showing that sustainable design can deliver both ecological and social performance. Life cycle thinking in construction ensures green building materials and eco‑friendly construction methods contribute to measurable carbon footprint reduction. These strategies align with the global drive for carbon neutral construction and decarbonising the built environment.
Fragmented energy policies are producing uneven access to clean energy and low‑carbon construction materials. The industry response is to use whole life carbon models to balance operational and embodied carbon impacts over asset lifespan. Linking circular construction strategies with sustainable urban development ensures the environmental footprint of projects remains accountable through transparent environmental product declarations (EPDs). The market now rewards projects that combine net zero carbon intent with demonstrable building lifecycle performance, proving sustainable construction is no longer promotional rhetoric but a decisive benchmark for long‑term value.
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