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The world is facing major challenges, and chemistry can be a key factor in shaping a sustainable future. As President of the German Chemical Society (GDCh), it is very important to me that we rise to this responsibility and lead the way.
For this reason, I am pleased to present our sustainability strategy to you today. For us, sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a guiding principle that we want to embed in all our activities. The aim of our strategy is to embed sustainability in all the GDCh’s processes. Building on our expertise, we want to provide information to help develop solutions and contribute to sustainable action in science, industry and politics.
The Board has adopted the recommendations of the committee established specifically to develop the strategy in 2024, put the necessary structures in place to implement our sustainability strategy effectively and set up a Sustainability Committee. The GDCh Sustainability Committee is made up of representatives from various Divisions and institutions and is a central part of the GDCh’s sustainability governance.
Our mission for a sustainable future is ambitious but achievable: we aim to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. In addition, we are advancing sustainable circular economy solutions and developing effective solutions to relevant environmental issues in our Divisions. At the same time, we are committed to equal opportunities in science and education and to providing balanced information on issues relating to sustainable chemistry.
To achieve these goals, we need the support and commitment of our members. I would therefore like to warmly invite you to support the implementation of our sustainability strategy. Together, we can make the GDCh a pioneer for sustainability in chemistry and develop solutions for a sustainable future.
Let us take this path together and firmly embed the values of sustainability relating to the environment, social issues and governance in our organisation. I am counting on your support and look forward to working with you to lead the GDCh into a future worth living in through sustainable measures.
We will be pleased to contact you in due course with relevant requests and offers.
As at: March 2025
Sustainability has been enshrined in the preamble to the GDCh statutes since 2024, and a commission has developed a framework for a sustainability strategy. The Board has now decided on the next steps towards implementing a comprehensive sustainability strategy. Prof. Herwig Buchholz, former Board member and a recognised expert in sustainability, will lead its development as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) for 2025 and 2026 and report to the Executive Committee. An expert commission with representatives from various areas of chemistry – including Prof. Klaus Kümmerer, Prof. Michael Braungart and Prof. Regina Palkovits – will continue to develop specific objectives and measures. An annual budget has also been approved for this purpose.
The Board also considered the proposal to establish a GDCh sustainability institute as part of its strategic development. It was decided that the Sustainability Commission should first carry out a feasibility study to examine the remit, institutional links and added value of such an initiative in greater detail. The aim is to improve links between existing activities and make sustainability even more visible and effective within the GDCh.
The Board discussed further embedding sustainability within the GDCh. The aim remains to establish sustainability within the GDCh on a sound institutional and technical footing.
Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt lag auf der Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie der GDCh. Der Vorstand präzisierte den Auftrag der Nachhaltigkeitskommission: Sie soll den Vorstand künftig durch konkrete und priorisierbare Vorschläge zur Umsetzung der bereits beschlossenen Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie beraten. Entscheidungen über Prioritäten, Ressourcen und Umsetzung verbleiben beim Vorstand in enger Abstimmung mit der Geschäftsstelle.