January 31, 2023
(press release)
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The concepts of “sustainability” and “sustainable development” are increasingly becoming integrated into the international lexicon. Businesses, governments and NGOs are building sustainability into their priorities and action plans. But the concept of “sustainability” is nothing new. One hundred-fifty years ago, individuals were undertaking what can be considered sustainable practices. For example, in the mid-1800s American farmers recycled crop nutrients back into the soil after each harvest by composting, plowing and burning, to help ensure that the soil would be fertile for the next season’s crops. Later on, people reused and repurposed everything from clothing and household appliances to automobiles, in an effort to both conserve resources and reduce household expenses. While there have been in the past a variety of definitions, in 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” In 2015, the United Nations hosted on behalf of the Member States the largest crowdsourcing exercise ever undertaken, alongside a similarly broad expert dialogue to expand this definition to include specifics. Over 10 million people participated in the process resulted in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a collection of 17 interlinked goals, unanimously adopted by all member states of the United Nations and designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.” As manufacturers of innovative, life-enhancing products and technology, the chemical industry plays a key role in meeting these goals. ACC members have been at the forefront of innovating new technologies and products that help solve the world’s most serious challenges. The chemical industry is the driver behind ground-breaking products that help make the world healthier, safer, more sustainable and more productive. Solar panels, wind turbines, home insulation, batteries, lightweight materials for auto and aircraft are all chemistry enabled and all can help advance sustainability. And we know the residents and workers in the communities where we do business expect more. We understand the critical importance of clean manufacturing, which includes minimizing negative environmental consequences while conserving energy and natural resources. Our industry is working to be part of the solution in our communities by helping to safeguard the environment and innovating to make products and processes safer. So what does this mean in practice? As an industry, we’re working to: Though the global community faces challenges to achieve the SDGs, I am optimistic about the chemical industry’s journey to sustainability and the industry’s immense contributions to society. The men and women of the chemical industry have the tools, know-how and desire to expand the development and adoption of chemistry-based innovations that will enable us to meet these challenges head on, for the betterment of our industry and society, today and over the coming decades.Chemical Industry Actions to Advance Sustainability
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