BNU November 2021

1 European Highlights, 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU November 2021, Brussels News Updates

EuChemS discussing green and sustainable chemistry

Various chemistry events focusing on sustainability were organised this month. As an important contributor to this topic, the European Chemical Society took part in the discussion on green and sustainable chemistry by participating in two major events: the first “Global Sustainable Chemistry Week” and the “6th Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference”.

1st Global Sustainable Chemistry Week

On 12 November, Nineta Hrastelj, EuChemS Secretary General, joined a panel discussion on the EU Chemicals Strategy on Sustainability during the first “Global Sustainable Chemistry Week” – organised by the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3).

Nineta Hrastelj addressed four major points from the EU Chemicals Strategy on Sustainability: the challenges towards its harmonised implementation across the EU, the importance of strengthening science-policy discussion, also at the regional level, the need for the EU’s strategic independence, and the crucial role of education. She concluded her presentation on the opportunities offered by the EU Chemicals Strategy on Sustainability, including how it can enable EU citizens to better understand the role of science in their everyday life.

6th Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference

On 16 November, Floris Rutjes, EuChemS President, gave an opening address at the 6th Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference organised by Elsevier.

During his talk, he presented the main activities that EuChemS is involved in relating to green and sustainable chemistry, which include:

  • EuChemS joining the European Commission’s High Level Roundtable on the implementation of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability;
  • the many EuChemS replies to the European Commission public consultations related to sustainable chemistry;
  • the recent updates made to the EuChemS Periodic Table.

In addition, he discussed the role Chemistry plays in the UN 17 SDGs.

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 1 European Highlights, 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU November 2021, Brussels News Updates

The new colour of Carbon in the EuChemS Periodic Table

On 3 November, the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) released an updated version of its iconic Periodic Table, first produced for the International Year of the Periodic Table in 2019 (IYPT19).

Conceived as a living document, to be periodically updated in the light of technological, societal, and geopolitical developments – which may affect the availability or status of specific elements – this unique periodic table highlights the availability and vulnerability of elements to raise society’s awareness of the limited mineral resources of our planet.

In view of the conclusions drawn during the successful Workshop, The Carbon Element – key towards a sustainable society, and after considerable scientific discussion, the colour of carbon in the EuChemS Periodic Table has been changed from green to partially green, red, and grey, denoting plentiful supply, a serious threat in the next 100 years, and elements from conflict minerals respectively.

This multi-colour coding of the carbon element reflects its distinctive position at the crossroads of a very large natural cycle and a very large anthropogenic usage with considerable geo-strategic stakes – as a major component of oil, carbon was and is connected to several armed conflict worldwide.

By updating the colour of the carbon element in its Periodic Table, EuChemS wants to address issues surrounding this specific element, such as the carbon cycle, fossil fuel reserves, recycling, and the need for a transition in the energy sector.

Read more about it here.

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