image: Paul Anastas with the Stockholm declaration.
Photo: Liisa Eelsoo
Credit: Photo: Liisa Eelsoo
Chemistry needs to become more sustainable and urgent actions are needed. That is the main message of the Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future that was launched at the Nobel Prize Museum on 23 May.
On 19-22 May 2025, The Nobel Symposium on “Chemistry for Sustainability: Fundamental Advances” was held outside of Stockholm. The symposium was organised by Stockholm University Center for Circular and Sustainable Systems (SUCCeSS). Around thirty world-leading researchers in sustainable chemistry and thirty specially invited researchers from Swedish academia and industry met to discuss how research in chemistry can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Before the Nobel symposium, the invited speakers co-authored the Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future, with input from SUCCeSS. A physical signing ceremony was held at the symposium, and the website for digital signing was opened.
The Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future stresses that chemistry is – and has been – vital to advancing human well-being. But at the same time, chemistry has caused unintentional harm to people and the planet. The declaration states that there is need to ensure that chemical products are safe and sustainable to eliminate waste by full material/energy utilization, utilizing non-depleting materials, creating integrative systems etc.
Five ways to transformation
Five essential elements are listed to make this transformation:
1. The goals of reducing or eliminating harm to people and the planet must be integrated in chemical products and processes.
2. There is need to act now. Inaction and status quo are more dangerous for people and the planet than transition.
3. Teachers, students and practitioners of chemistry need to be trained to integrate health and sustainability in their work.
4. Chemical data and information must be fully available and accessible to all. There is need for transparency.
5. Government policies on the chemical enterprise must be aligned with sustainability and health.
The declaration contains a call to action, urging scientists, industry, educators, students and policy makers to collaborate on implementing solutions for human well-being while preserving and protecting the environment. “By embracing this vision, we can harness chemistry´s full potential as a catalyst for a fairer, more sustainable, and resilient world.”
Launch at the Nobel Prize Museum
On 23 May the Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future was officially launched at the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm.
Paul Anastas, professor of chemistry at Yale University and senior advisor at SUCCeSS, has been the driving force behind the work with the declaration.
“The essence of The Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future is the imperative of transforming invention into impact by unleashing the power of chemistry to improve people’s lives by implementing it at scale now,” says Paul Anastas.
Ben Feringa, Nobel laureate in chemistry 2016 and professor at University of Groningen, is one of the signatories of the declaration and he also attended the launch event.
“The Stockholm declaration is an urgent call to join forces to re-invent chemistry in order to build our sustainable future. Chemistry as the "creating and central science" will make the difference in society and industry in the years ahead teaching our young talents and providing breakthrough discoveries for sustainable innovations,” says Ben Feringa.
Berit Olofsson, professor of organic chemistry at Stockholm University and co-director of SUCCeSS, adds:
”The organisation of the Nobel Symposium on Chemistry for Sustainability: Fundamental Advances was an important milestone for SUCCeSS. We are proud to be closely connected to this important declaration, which will have a large impact on re-inventing chemistry towards a sustainable future."
The Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future welcomes scientists and others working in chemistry to read, sign and spread the declaration.
Read the Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future
Read article on Stockholm University web on the declaration
Read more about Stockholm University Center for Circular and Sustainable Systems (SUCCeSS).
Contact:
Paul Anastas, professor of chemistry at Yale University and senior advisor at SUCCeSS
E-mail: paul.anastas@yale.edu Phone: ++1203-436-5127
Berit Olofsson, professor of organic chemistry at Stockholm University and co-director of SUCCeSS
E-mail: berit.olofsson@su.se Phone: ++46 8-674 72 64
Photos from the launch and the signing of the declaration can be find here.
(Contact Berit Olofsson if there are questions related to the photos.)