Summary from SUCCeSS Participation in the One-Year Anniversary Celebration

The declaration sent a clear message from the global scientific community: change was needed immediately, and it was our responsibility to drive that change. One year later, the impact of the declaration is beginning to take shape as its principles are translated into action around the world.

A Global 24-Hour Anniversary Event

To mark the anniversary, an unprecedented 24-hour online event was organised, spanning multiple continents. The concept was simple yet powerful: sustainable and green chemistry is for everyone.

Throughout the 24-hour programme, talks and discussions were hosted across the globe, connecting participants from Europe, America, Asia, and beyond. Such an ambitious programme required meticulous planning and coordination, and the event proved to be a remarkable success.

SUCCeSS had the pleasure of opening the first two hours of the event on Friday, 22 May, and closing the programme on Saturday, 23 May.

Showcasing Sustainable Research and Innovation

Following introductory remarks from SUCCeSS by Professors Paul Anastas, Aji Mathew, and Berit Olofsson, the programme began with a presentation by Professor Magdalena Titirici from Imperial College London. She shared her group's work on nature-inspired materials, sustainable batteries, and their efforts to transform laboratory environments into greener spaces.

Next, Magnus Breitholtz discussed how Stockholm University is implementing more climate-friendly policies, including restrictions on air travel. He also highlighted how SUCCeSS has actively supported the goals of the Stockholm Declaration through travel grants, postdoctoral programmes, webinars, conferences, and initiatives within the education sector. His presentation provided a valuable overview of SUCCeSS's achievements over the past four years.

Magnus Johansson and Per-Ola Norrby, both senior principle scientists at AstraZeneca, then presented their work on improving sustainability in chemical synthesis by replacing key reagents and solvents with more sustainable alternatives. Per-Ola also described how AstraZeneca's extensive database, containing millions of recorded reactions, is being integrated into a single platform to streamline reaction development and improve efficiency.

The morning session concluded with Teresa Cecchi from the Montani Institute in Italy, who elegantly described how green chemistry principles – and now the Stockholm Declaration – have been incorporated into chemical education programmes.

Advancing Towards a Circular Chemical Economy

The following day, Professor Jiayin Yuan from Stockholm University opened the session by discussing how his research group has shifted its focus from polymerisation and carbonisation towards depolymerisation and decarbonisation strategies.

Professor Oskar Karlsson concluded the scientific programme with a fascinating lecture on how advances in toxicology research are helping move society closer to truly sustainable chemical material development. Particular attention was given to his collaboration with Professors Helena Lundberg (KTH), Ulf Norinder (Stockholm University), and Minna Hakkarainen (KTH), focusing on alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA).

Giving Young Researchers a Voice

While the Stockholm Declaration was originally developed by approximately 30 world-leading scientists, students, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers were not directly involved in those discussions. To address this, SUCCeSS invited young researchers to share their perspectives, questions, and ideas during an interactive panel discussion featuring Professor Mika Sipponen (Stockholm University), Professor Marlene Ågerstrand (Stockholm University), and Dr Margaret Kerr (Yale University).

The discussion generated a wide range of insightful contributions. One participant raised the topic of consumer-driven sustainability, prompting Marlene Ågerstrand to highlight that scientific advances often outpace policy development, and that effective regulation can play a crucial role in driving sustainable innovation.

Another participant asked how sustainability could be more effectively integrated into school curricula. Margaret Kerr, an expert in chemical education, acknowledged the challenges involved but emphasised the importance of introducing sustainability concepts from an early age, ideally beginning in preschool education.

The panel also explored the role of reactive chemicals in sustainable chemistry. One participant questioned whether the declaration's language might suggest that reactive chemicals are inherently problematic. Mika Sipponen noted that truly sustainable chemistry depends on collaborative efforts across disciplines and sectors, creating opportunities to address challenges associated with hazardous or reactive substances. Paul Anastas added that nature rarely relies on highly reactive reagents, instead finding elegant ways to activate small molecules—an approach from which chemists can continue to learn.

Looking Ahead

Overall, the anniversary event provided an inspiring opportunity to learn from world-leading experts working across diverse fields of sustainability and green chemistry. The discussions highlighted both the progress already being made and the significant opportunities that lie ahead.

At SUCCeSS, we are encouraged by the innovations, technologies, and collaborative efforts emerging around the world. Together, they offer a genuine reason for optimism and reinforce our belief that a more sustainable future is within reach.