Green and Sustainable Chemistry

United Nations 8 months ago

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.
→ View Full Article

layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 5 hours ago



The past quarter has marked a decisive turn for sustainable construction as regulatory and financial frameworks push towards measurable outcomes. The EU Deforestation Regulation now extends accountability across supply chains, compelling developers to verify the provenance of timber and other renewable building materials aligned with environmental sustainability in construction. The latest Environmental Performance Index exposes how far most nations remain from achieving net zero carbon and fully certifiable net zero Whole Life Carbon buildings, sharpening global focus on embodied carbon and the carbon footprint of construction.

Green finance guidance from the Green Finance Institute and WWF reinforces this transition by embedding biodiversity metrics and Whole Life Carbon Assessment into project reporting. Sustainable building design is now inextricably linked to fiduciary responsibility, with investors demanding verified lifecycle assessment data and credible environmental product declarations (EPDs). The incorporation of Life Cycle Cost appraisal and life cycle thinking in construction establishes a unified model where resource efficiency and circular construction strategies define investor confidence.

Operational resilience remains pivotal. Research on the inefficiencies of legacy financial systems underscores that decarbonising the built environment depends not only on low carbon design and low embodied carbon materials but also on digital workflows that enhance building lifecycle performance. The industry’s embrace of eco-design for buildings, Circular Economy in construction, and sustainable building practices signals a shift from aspiration to implementation.

Across markets, the environmental impact of construction and governance failures continue to test trust in green infrastructure. As scrutiny intensifies, sustainable design and carbon neutral construction are emerging as baselines rather than aspirations. The next phase of sustainable urban development will be defined by Whole Life Carbon transparency, robust BREEAM and BREEAM V7 frameworks, and quantifiable progress toward circular economy models that anchor low carbon building performance in verifiable data.

Show More

camera_altFeatured Instagram Posts:

Get your opinion heard:

Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do get in touch.

Let's chat!
Avatar

WLC Assistant

Ask me about sustainability

Hi! I'm your Whole Life Carbon assistant. I can help you learn about sustainability, carbon assessment, and navigate our resources. How can I help you today?