Chemistry as the key to sustainability
GDCh presents "Sustainability Strategy 2030"
The global sustainability goals can only be achieved with significant support from the chemical industry. Whether energy production, the circular economy or the reduction of greenhouse gases - chemistry provides essential solutions. The German Chemical Society (GDCh) is implementing a comprehensive sustainability strategy and thus contributing to solutions.
"As the largest chemical society in the EU, we are aware of the importance of sustainable science, take responsibility and lead by example," emphasizes GDCh President Prof. Dr. Stefanie Dehnen. "Together with our members and the expertise of our specialist groups, we are advancing sustainability and contributing to a future worth living."
As part of the "Sustainability Strategy 2030", the GDCh:
- develop effective solutions to relevant environmental issues in its specialist groups,
- create an international network of scientific societies that promotes sustainable solutions through chemistry
- promote sustainable solutions for the circular economy,
- promote equal opportunities in science and education,
- to be independent and balanced on issues of sustainable chemistry. Inform,
- Reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2040,
- Integrate sustainable aspects into all GDCh processes.
The sustainability strategy was developed in 2024 by a specially appointed commission. The GDCh Executive Board followed the recommendations of the commission and established the necessary structures to effectively implement the sustainability strategy.
The newly created position of Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) will in future be held by Prof. Dr. Herwig Buchholz, a recognized expert in this field. Together with a Sustainability Commission, which will be made up of knowledgeable and experienced representatives from various specialist groups and institutions, he will be responsible for implementing the sustainability strategy. Together with the CSO, the commission reports directly to the GDCh Executive Committee and forms the central element of sustainability governance.
"Our sustainability strategy is based on our core competencies," explains Buchholz. "We use our unique network potential and pool relevant knowledge and expertise for sustainable solutions and make this available on sustainability issues. This enables us to highlight the key role of chemistry for a sustainable future and make important contributions. In this way, our science makes a decisive contribution to enabling a sustainable economy. Our sustainability strategy strengthens the future viability of the GDCh and underlines its social importance."
Herwig Buchholz is Managing Partner of the management consultancy ELCH and previously held various management positions at the science and technology group Merck, most recently as Global Head Corporate Sustainability. He holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Hamburg and is a Fellow at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. From 2016 to 2023, he was a member of the GDCh Board of Directors and is involved in several academic and non-profit organizations on a voluntary basis, including a professorship at the University of Oldenburg.
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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