Abstract by Dr. Hans-Christian Schaefer, German Federal Environment Foundation

The contribution of chemistry to a ?good? future - what could it look like? Suggestions from the funding work of an environmental foundation

With the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations has formulated 17 goals that should enable everyone to have a ?good? life in the future. Chemistry can make a variety of contributions to achieve these goals. On the other hand, a good future is called into question by exceeding the load limits of the earth, for example in the climate system, with the biogeochemical rivers or the integrity of the biosphere. ?Chemistry? also has its part in this. Sustainable chemistry is that part of chemistry that is critical to a sustainable society in terms of product design, manufacturing, resource use, health and safety at work, economic success, and technical innovation.

Using a series of examples from the funding work of the German Federal Environmental Foundation, the lecture will show how research and innovation can contribute to making chemistry more sustainable and to strengthening the contribution of chemistry to sustainable development. Funding projects with small and medium-sized companies from various industries, e.g. the pharmaceutical industry, the textile industry and the raw materials sector, show ways and contributions of chemistry to a "good" future.

Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Hans-Christian Schaefer