Preparing the Next Generation Workforce for Sustainable Action

Partnering to ensure 25 percent of graduating chemists have a background in green chemistry by 2025

Beyond Benign’s Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) is dedicated to integrating green chemistry and toxicology concepts into chemistry programs with the goal of providing students with the skills to design chemical products and processes to reduce human and environmental hazards.

With 70 US signers to date, accounting for 9.6% of graduating chemists, the GCC program is working to create a systemic change in chemistry education, inspiring additional institutions to pursue and integrate green chemistry. With this new initiative of ensuring 25 percent of chemistry students graduate with a background in green chemistry.

To achieve the ambitious goal of preparing the workforce for sustainable action, per the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG 4.7), Beyond Benign will provide resources and support to interested institutions.

This support includes an assessment of current chemistry and green chemistry programs, recommended lessons to incorporate into their curriculum and labs, an annual Green Chemistry Commitment Summit to bring all signers together, financial resources and on-going support for mentors, teachers, faculty and staff.

“We believe that by supporting educators and students to teach and learn green chemistry, we are equipping the next generation of scientists and citizens to design and select products that support both human health and the environment,” says Amy Cannon, Director and Co-Founder of Beyond Benign. “With chemistry at the foundation of any sustainable solution, we are excited about the potential this initiative brings to build a critical mass of green chemists in the workforce.

“It is imperative that our incoming workforce is prepared to design, create and produce sustainable solutions for the well-being of humanity,” says Eunice Heath, Corporate Director of Sustainability for Dow. “Through Beyond Benign’s aggressive GCC 25×25 initiative, we will be able to make a lasting impact on education, science and the global market.”

Read more about our 2021 partnership here.

2025 Sustainability GoalsDow's 2025 Sustainability Goals support a global transition to a sustainable planet and society, maximizing economic, and societal value in return.

Partnership Opportunities & Green Chemistry Commitment News

Preparing the Next Generation Workforce for Sustainable Action Webinar

Hosted by Dow and Beyond Benign on February 22, 2021

Click here to access the recording of the webinar or click on the image to the right.

Click here to access the slides from the webinar.

The Green Chemistry Education Challenge Awards

Launched during the Preparing the Next Generation Workforce for Sustainable Action webinar in 2021. The proposal deadline has closed for 2021, but additional grants will be available in 2022. Stay tuned for details and deadlines for 2022 grant applications. See the 2021 Green Chemistry Education Challenge Award grant winners here.

Click here to learn more about the Green Chemistry Education Challenge Awards.

Click here to learn about the application for the 2021 Green Chemistry Education Challenge Award. The proposal deadline has closed for 2021, but additional grants will be available in 2022. Stay tuned for details and deadlines for 2022 grant applications!

See the 2021 Green Chemistry Education Challenge Award grant winners here.

Questions?

Contact Natalie O'Neil the Director of Higher Education at Beyond Benign at natalie_oneil@beyondbenign.org

New Signers and News about the Green Chemistry Commitment

The Green Chemistry Commitment has welcomed 11 signers in 2021! We are thrilled to welcome Dow Academic Partner Texas A&M University and Southern University through this partnership, bringing the total number of institutions dedicated to Green Chemistry education to 86 globally. Check out the recent press around the Green Chemistry Commitment below.

Highlighted in "The Unexpected Ways Climate Change Is Reshaping College Education"

Join Beyond Benign for A Green Chemistry Connection

Bi-monthly meetings are hosted by Beyond Benign and community members actively practicing Green Chemistry Principles on the third Wednesday of every other month!

Click here to register or click on the image on the left to learn more!

2020 - 2021 Partnership Results

Ten of Dow’s academic partners are signed onto and engaged with the Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Commitment program!

2021 GRANT RECIPIENTS

Southern University and A&M College | Beyond Benign

University of California, Berkeley | Beyond Benign

Michigan State University | Beyond Benign

Come learn more about the 2021 Green Chemistry Education Challenge Award winners and the value of Green Chemistry Education during our September 15th Green Chemistry Connection. Sign up here to join us!