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Challenge: Increasing sustainability requirements from international buyers meet lack of understanding and awareness at supplier level

Objective: Improved local capacities and awareness on new requirements for export readiness and competitiveness

Approach: Establish RBH with suitable partner institutions for a long-term anchoring of servies on the ground

Impacts: Since end of 2022 over 2500 suppliers in 8 countries have made use of the support services of the RBH

The natureplus product database was created in cooperation with baubook GmbH. It provides comprehensive technical data and environmental-, health- and sustainability-related information for over 600 natureplus certified building products.

CHARM virtually plastic free homes is an affordable housing development of 12 homes, built using plastic-free materials to reduce environmental and health impacts. The homes are constructed from timber panels and make extensive use of alternative and recycled products, such as aluminium window frames and mineral insulation.

Chemicals production and consumption is set to double by 2030, from a $5 trillion industry globally in 2017, with production set to increase, mainly in emerging economies. If chemicals production is doubled, chemical pollution must not double as a consequence – rather we should aim to significantly reduce it from current levels.

Current international attempts at the massive undertaking of addressing chemical pollution are not working. For the world to solve the major environmental and health challenges we face, there must be a sustainable chemicals revolution. We can only achieve this through senior-level engagement with the chemical sciences community through an authoritative, intergovernmental science-policy interface.

The Royal Society of Chemistry engaged with scientists in their community to develop the vision for a chemicals strategy, relevant to any nation in principle.  Four pillars were identified on which any chemicals strategy has to be based: education, innovation, circular economy and regulation. National governments must invest in these areas and create a responsible framework of action for chemicals management.

Information from GreenSpec on environmental impacts of building materials, including chemicals of concern.