The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, better known as Cop26, held in Glasgow, UK, is a crucial opportunity for world leaders to gather and agree how nations will work together to reduce and mitigate the impacts of climate change. There is much at stake, and many political, economic and societal factors are involved in overcoming this global challenge. One thing of which we can be certain is that chemical science will make a significant contribution to the innovations and technologies needed for a greener future.
Labs have an outsized environmental footprint but solutions are within reach
Proof-of-concept trifluoromethylation study attempts post-consumer plastic waste challenge
Practical advice builds on a new study comparing air-cooled condensers
The Royal Society of Chemistry aims to use Cop26 as a springboard to a more sustainable future. Rachel Brazil reports
A new strategy chemically recycles the most common fibres found in fashion waste, including polyester, cotton and nylon
Database set to support recycling research by detailing the chemical composition and physical properties of 59 polymers from common commercial vendors
Three company officials under investigation for potential safety violations
A carbon-neutral future depends on smarter materials and circular thinking
Cobalt–tungsten catalyst provides a commercially viable alternative to scarce metals like iridium
Low-cost charcoal absorbs carbon dioxide and rapidly releases it in energy-efficient process
In just three simple steps rare earth element can be recovered, avoiding ‘ecologically devastating’ mining
The biophysical chemist on the link between climbing and reducing the use of toxic chemicals
Common belief that Earth-abundant metals are green replacements for palladium may be misleading
Cement can be regenerated during steel recycling in an electric arc furnace
Impatient for change, she joined Paris-based sustainable ‘deep tech’ agency Hello Tomorrow
Waste gases from landfills could be turned into valuable chemical feedstocks
Royal Society report warns that without intervention defossilisation of the chemicals sector will take many decades
Collaboration with Sabic and Linde will test two different furnace designs
Aerosol modelling study injects note of caution on strategy to control warming
The Royal Society of Chemistry to support 33 projects in 11 countries aiming to make chemistry research greener
Nanotextured surface of titanium and nickel waste supports platinum and cobalt atoms to create effective electrocatalysts
Motorsports are saving the world
Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry