Stockholm declaration for more sustainable chemistry

Professor Paul Anastas with the signed Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future. Photo: Liisa Eelsoo

On 19-22 May 2025, The Nobel Symposium on “Chemistry for Sustainability: Fundamental Advances” was held in Sigtuna 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. 

Launch at the Nobel Prize Museum 

The declaration was launched in the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm. Photo: Per Larsson

On Friday 23 May the Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future was officially launched at an event at the Nobel Prize Museum in central Stockholm. Besides participants from the Nobel symposia there were also representatives from embassies, industry, public authorities, NGOs and media at the launch event.

Paul Anastas, professor of chemistry at Yale University and senior advisor at SUCCeSS (also referred to as the "Father of Green Chemistry”) has been the driving force behind the work with the declaration. He solemnly read the full declaration in the beautiful museum building, adding “extra ordinary events shall be held at extra ordinary places”.

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

Participants at the Nobel symposium when signing the declaration. Photo: Liisa Eelsoo

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 also 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.”

Students important for the transition

The reading of the declaration was followed by statements from four of the signatories.

Javier García Martínez, professor of inorganic chemistry at the University of Alicante, talked about the need to make chemistry sustainable and useable, but also about the economic gains of transforming to more sustainable chemistry. He also touched upon how research is questioned in certain countries and the need to embrace diversity within chemistry. 

Helen Sneddon, professor of sustainable chemistry at University of York, talked about how chemistry has improved life of many people. But chemists have not been successful enough in telling these stories. By moving in the direction of more sustainable chemistry, it will be easier for industry to attract employees and make customers buy their products.

Walter Leitner, professor and director of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, talked about chemistry as “driving” the Anthropocene. “This document can only be read in one way – as a call to action.”

John Warner, American chemist, educator and entrepreneur, stressed the role of teaching students in chemistry about sustainability, otherwise today´s problem will prevail in the future.

“We have the power to change chemistry” 

Ben Feringa and Paul Anastas outside the Nobel Prize Museum. Photo: Per Larsson

Ben Feringa, Nobel laureate in chemistry 2016 and professor at University of Groningen, is one of the signatories of the declaration and he attended the launch event. He stressed the need to start with the students in chemistry to make a better, more sustainable world. “We have the power to change chemistry for the futures!”

Aji Mathew, Professor of Materials Chemistry and director of SUCCeSS, together with Berit Olofsson, Deputy Director of SUCCeSS and Professor of Organic Chemistry, was in charge of the Nobel Symposium. 

”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," says Berit Olofsson.

Read and sign the declaration

The Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future welcomes scientists and others working in chemistry to read, sign and spread the declaration.
Read and sign the declaration

Article about the declaration from Yale University

Article about the declaration from Nottingham University

Read more about Stockholm University Center for Circular and Sustainable Systems (SUCCeSS)