Just Transition Strategy: ECG’s commitment

The RSC’s Environmental Chemistry Group (ECG) recognises the pressing challenge of energetic and ecological transitions to respond to the triple planetary crisis. Defined by the United Nations, the three main interlinked issues that humanity currently faces are climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. We also acknowledge the role that the chemical sciences play in both contributing to and resolving this crisis. After consultation with our members and wider community (most notably through our 2024 event, The Role of Chemistry in a Doughnut Economy), the ECG committee has pledged to embed Just Transition principles across our activities.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines Just Transition as “greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.” We strongly believe that chemists and all involved in the sector are strategically placed to push the Just Transition agenda, not only because it must be done, but also because it can provide fertile ground for broader, more inclusive, and exciting ways to approach our work.

Herein, we present our strategy and structure for integrating Just Transition principles into our decision-making, our relationship with the Royal Society of Chemistry – particularly the Environment, Sustainability, and Energy Community Council – our expert meetings, and our public engagement activities. We will also formalise reporting on this work to accelerate impact and fully support and empower the chemical sciences in the UK and beyond.

Just Transition pillars

The Just Transition is widely regarded by scholars as a wicked problem. In the 1970s, Rittel and Webber defined wicked problems in the context of planning and social policy to have ten characteristics:

1.They do not have a definitive formulation.

2.They do not have a “stopping rule.” In other words, these problems lack an inherent logic that signals when they are solved.

3.Their solutions are not true or false, only good or bad.

4.There is no way to test the solution to a wicked problem.

5.They cannot be studied through trial and error. “Every trial counts.”

6.There is no end to the number of solutions or approaches to a wicked problem.

7.All wicked problems are essentially unique.

8.Wicked problems can always be described as the symptom of other problems.

9.The way a wicked problem is described determines its possible solutions.

10.Those who present solutions to these problems, have no right to be wrong. “Planners are liable for the consequences of the solutions they generate; the effects can matter a great deal to the people who are touched by those actions.”

Our approach to dealing with this complexity has been to first break down our vision of Chemistry within a Just Transition into five interconnected pillars. No single pillar can resolve this wicked problem on its own; however, each is essential to its resolution. It is expected that all our activities will be at the intersection of two or more of these pillars.

• Pollution and public health – Raising awareness of instances and impact of human and environmental exposure to harmful chemicals. Particular effort to address disproportionate exposure to harmful chemicals.

• Sustainable resource use – Ensuring chemical processes contribute to a circular economy for (material, sociological and environmental) sustainability.

• Fair innovation – Developing, supporting, and enabling fair and inclusive access to green chemistry solutions that do not create new inequalities.

• Policy and regulation – Identifying, supporting, and facilitating the process of how chemistry influences fair and effective environmental policies.

• Community and knowledge access – Supporting, enabling, and encouraging citizen science, collaborative science efforts and environmental progress, as well as sharing knowledge and understanding gained from these efforts, accessibly and fairly.

Decision-making and topic selection

To ensure that the topics we prioritise for expert meetings, the ECG Bulletin, and our outreach activities reflect the principles of a Just Transition, we have developed a set of topic selection criteria designed to guide our decision-making in a transparent and values-driven way. These criteria are not intended as a rigid checklist, they will support us in curating a programme of activities that is ambitious, inclusive, and aligned with our vision for environmental chemistry in a fairer, more sustainable future. Hence, for a topic to be prioritised for ECG expert meetings, the ECG Bulletin, or outreach, it should:

• Integrate at least two Just Transition pillars in a meaningful way. Fostering systems thinking and intersectional relevance.

• Encourage interdisciplinary dialogue and/or collaboration. Bringing together diverse fields and expertise to address complex environmental challenges.

• Involve or represent diverse perspectives. Amplifying voices from different sectors, career stages, regions, or communities, particularly those underrepresented or directly impacted by environmental issues.

• Demonstrate potential for positive impact. Offering actionable insights, inspiring further work, or contributing to real-world change.

• Explore cutting-edge ideas or approaches. Stimulating fresh thinking in chemistry—whether through innovative methods, emerging topics, or new frameworks for understanding and action.

To ensure our work remains relevant and impactful, we will embed a light-touch review of topic selection into the ECG’s annual cycle. A simple Topic Log will be maintained throughout the year, noting the topics we cover, the Just Transition pillars they address, and key reflections on interdisciplinarity, diversity, and impact. This log will inform the Chair’s Report in the ECG Bulletin, which will also invite feedback from the community on future topic ideas. Following the publication of the Chair’s Report, the committee will hold a discussion to reflect on the year’s activities and identify any gaps or opportunities to strengthen our alignment with Just Transition principles.

The ECG Bulletin: Integrating the Just Transition framework

We have developed a set of icons to represent each of our five Just Transition pillars. These icons will be used in the ECG Bulletin to signpost how each article aligns with the pillars, helping readers navigate the themes and connections across our content.

To further embed the Just Transition into the ECG Bulletin, we propose introducing new article categories that highlight work aligned with these principles.

Community science spotlight

Showcasing citizen and community science initiatives that involve public participation in environmental chemistry research, monitoring, or action.

Example topics: grassroots air quality monitoring projects; community-led water testing schemes; co-designed soil remediation trials.

Chemistry and justice

Exploring the role of chemistry in addressing or perpetuating environmental injustices, with a focus on equity, access, and fairness.

Example topics: case studies on disproportionate pollution exposure; analysis of chemical policy impacts on vulnerable communities; perspectives from chemists working on ethical innovation.

Green chemistry in action

Profiling cutting-edge innovations that contribute to a Just Transition; solutions that are not only technically sound but socially and environmentally responsible.

Example topics: biodegradable materials that reduce environmental harm; fair and sustainable battery chemistries; green synthesis methods that avoid creating new inequalities.

Voices from the community

Interviews, opinion pieces, or reflections from a diverse range of stakeholders- students, early-career researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and those affected by environmental challenges: sharing their perspectives on the future of chemistry in a Just Transition.

Example topics: reflections from community partners in research projects; perspectives from frontline activists; insights from interdisciplinary collaborators.

Expert meetings strategy

Flagship meetings: ECG’s DGL and #EnvChem

Our annual Distinguished Guest Lecture (DGL) will continue to serve as a cornerstone event for the Environmental Chemistry Group, bringing together leading thinkers to explore cutting-edge topics in environmental chemistry. To strengthen its alignment with the Just Transition framework and enhance dialogue, we will:

• Collaborate with the DGL lecturer as a curator: The invited Distinguished Guest Lecturer will be invited to work with the committee in shaping the theme of the event, suggesting additional speakers, and proposing a panel topic that fosters cross-disciplinary dialogue.

• Maintain a broad, dialogue-driven format: The DGL programme will include multiple talks exploring the annual theme, culminating in the Distinguished Guest Lecture, followed by a facilitated panel discussion and audience Q&A to integrate insights and spark further conversation.

• Embed Just Transition principles in topic and speaker selection: Each DGL will explore themes that integrate at least two Just Transition pillars, with a focus on interdisciplinarity, diverse perspectives, and potential for impact.

Collect reflections and feedback: We will invite feedback from attendees to ensure the DGL continues to evolve as an inclusive, impactful platform for critical dialogue in environmental chemistry.

#EnvChem will continue to provide a broad-reaching platform for early-career researchers to present their work across all areas of environmental chemistry. The diversity of topics is a strength, reflecting the complexity of the field.

To encourage holistic thinking and integration, we will:

• Use the programme and opening remarks to frame #EnvChem as a space for reflection on how diverse areas of environmental chemistry connect to the broader challenges of sustainability, fairness, and justice.

• Include light-touch prompts during sessions to encourage attendees to identify connections and reflect on interdisciplinary perspectives.

• Ensure keynote speakers bring a mix of cutting-edge research and broader societal or policy perspectives. This includes:

• Leading researchers at the forefront of environmental chemistry.

• Voices from adjacent disciplines, such as policy, public health, economics, and social sciences, who can help contextualise the scientific work within societal and environmental challenges.

• Representatives from third-sector organisations, industry, and community groups, where relevant, to bring real-world perspectives on how chemistry contributes to a just and sustainable future.

This approach will help foster a culture of interdisciplinary dialogue, without placing additional burdens on participants or restricting the breadth of the programme.

Other expert meetings

Beyond our flagship meetings, the ECG organises a range of thematic and ad hoc expert meetings that provide valuable spaces for exploring specific topics and fostering dialogue across the environmental chemistry community. These meetings will continue to play an important role in our strategy by:

Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration

We will intentionally invite speakers from across sectors and disciplines – including social scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and community representatives – to ensure discussions reflect diverse perspectives and address the wider societal, environmental, and policy context.

Prioritising accessibility and inclusion

We will aim to deliver a mix of in-person, online, and hybrid formats to maximise participation. We will also explore targeted outreach to underrepresented groups and early-career researchers, ensuring that all voices are welcomed and heard in ECG spaces.

Supporting the ECG’s evolving programme

Thematic meetings will complement the ECG Bulletin, outreach activities, and the wider ECG strategy, helping to build a cohesive, impactful programme. that advances the Just Transition agenda across environmental chemistry.

Voices from the community

Interviews, opinion pieces, or reflections from a diverse range of stakeholders- students, early-career researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and those affected by environmental challenges: sharing their perspectives on the future of chemistry in a Just Transition.

Communication strategy

Our communication strategy will share and amplify the ECG’s commitment to the Just Transition, ensuring our vision and activities are accessible, engaging, and relevant to a broad audience. We will:

• Create a dedicated Just Transition webpage

This page will explain the relevance of the Just Transition to environmental chemistry, serving as an accessible entry point for members and the public.

• Develop accessible educational resources and case studies

These resources will highlight real-world examples of chemistry contributing to fair and sustainable solutions, supporting learning and engagement across the community.

• Expand blog and vlog content to highlight chemists working on Just Transition topics

We will share stories and perspectives from researchers and practitioners across sectors, showcasing the diverse ways environmental chemistry can drive positive change.

• Use social media and infographics to increase engagement

We will develop visual and accessible content to communicate complex ideas, spark dialogue, and reach a wider audience—including non-specialists and the general public.