Summer School 2023

Focus Topic: Sustainable Chemistry and Climate Crisis

The climate crisis is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) without additional efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), global warming is likely to exceed 2°C by the end of the 21st century (UNEP 2022 ).

For this reason, long-term commitment and ambitious action are required in practically all sectors of the economy.

The chemical industry is not only a fundamental cornerstone of modern life and global and national economies as more than 90% of manufacturing depends on chemical industry products. According to the IPCC sixth assessment report (IPCC 2022 ), the chemical industry accounts for roughly 7.4% of global GHG emissions and 10% of the world´s final energy demand (ICCA 2018 ).

At the same time, the chemical industry is a source of innovation and materials which are crucial for the roll-out of future-oriented low-carbon technologies. The transformation of the chemical industry and related value chains with a focus on sustainable chemistry, low-emission processes and products is a huge challenge.

Sustainable chemistry does not only address usage of resources, design, manufacture and use of efficient, effective, safe and more environmentally benign chemical products and processes, but also includes alternative business models and ethical aspects. The worldwide implementation of sustainable chemistry is key to reduce unwanted environmental, health and societal impacts of chemicals and chemical products along their life cycle and to achieve sustainable production and consumption.

The first part the summer school will provide an overview and the latest insights in sustainable chemistry itself and chemicals management in general.

In the second part participants will gain insights into an understanding of the latest developments of innovation within the chemical industry for reducing GHG emissions and the relation to value chains.

The programme of the summer school includes a theoretical part (lectures) and practical workshops, group discussions and an excursion to exemplify and deepen important aspects of sustainable chemistry and climate crisis.

Part 1: General Concepts and Approaches of Sustainable Chemistry

•    Concept of green and sustainable chemistry
•    Reference points of intervention: national – European – international
•    Practical implementation of sustainable chemicals management in the fields of international cooperation and development cooperation

Part 2: Impacts of the chemical sector on climate crisis and possible solutions offered by chemical innovations

•    Nexus „Sustainable Chemistry and Climate Crisis”
•    Circular economy & Chemparks' approach
•    Sector Roadmaps for greenhouse gas mitigation in the production and use of chemicals
•    Emission reduction and abatement technologies
•    International Climate Change Policies and interlinkages with multilateral environmental agreements

The 9th Summer School on Sustainable Chemistry for Sustainable Development is organised jointly by the Research and Education Hub of the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaboration Center (ISC3 www.isc3.org), the Chair for Sustainable Chemistry and Material Resources at the Institute of Sustainable Chemistry of Leuphana University Lüneburg (https://www.leuphana.de/en/institutes/insc/nachhaltige-chemie-und-ressourcen-englisch.html) and the "Climate Action Programme for the Chemical Industry” (CAPCI) which is implemented by GIZ and funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) in the framework of its International Climate Initiative (IKI).

Please also check out our study programmes in Sustainable Chemistry!

https://www.leuphana.de/en/professional-school/masters-studies/sustainable-chemistry.html

https://www.leuphana.de/en/professional-school/masters-studies/sustainable-chemistry-management.html

We are happy to have the next Summer School onsite at Leuphana University again!

Have a look at the preliminary program and please feel free to disseminate our flyer.

Please find here a list of accommodation.

Tip: Lueneburg is a highly visited town. Book your accommodation on time!

Registration for the Summer School 2023 is open! Please register here.

Registration deadline: 10 June 2023

The Summer School aims at postgraduates and young professionals who deal with or are professionally interested in the topic of sustainable chemistry as a crosscutting issue.

The Summer School 2023 will be free of charge again.

A few travel scholarships are available upon application for students from Africa, Asia, Middle East and Global South. For further details please refer to section on scholarships.

The deadline for application for a travel grant has passed already.