What ACS Is Doing

ACS has a long and significant history of sustainability and a commitment to understanding environment issues, both in its operations and member support. ACS works toward facilitating solutions to environmental challenges through the application of chemical science and engineering. We’re also involved in a number of activities to promote sustainable practices, green chemistry and spreading the message. Check out how!

ACS Green Chemistry Institute® (ACS GCI)

ACS’ not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to advancing a sustainable future across the global chemical enterprise. ACS GCI leads a portfolio of activities designed to communicate about green chemistry, catalyze its implementation, and advance green chemistry education. ACS GCI also collaborates on many other sustainability activities across ACS and, increasingly, with external partners.

• Annual Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference
  ACS GCI hosts the conference which is considered the premier annual event in the field.
• ACS GCI Industrial Roundtables
  ACS GCI uses its capabilities, experience, and world-wide network of technical expertise to catalyze the movement of industrial enterprises toward sustainability.
• ACS Summer School on Green Chemistry and Sustainability
  A series of summer schools for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to explore scientific solutions to global challenges using the concepts and practices of green chemistry.

Public Policy

ACS has been a leader in advocating public policy to advance green and sustainable chemistry and engineering, as well as policies that encourage the application of science to broader global challenges. The Society has robust partnerships with the National Academies and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers to develop detailed reports and recommendations in this arena. Regular Capitol Hill briefings include topics on sustainability.

• Position Statements: Promote Sustainability & Science in Public Policy
• Congressional Briefings

ACS also explores international cooperation with other organizations to advance sustainability globally.

• ACS Global Strategic Alliances
  ACS international alliances and partnerships leverage our resources and capabilities, along with those of our partners, to enhance chemistry’s potential in addressing key global issues. The alliances support Goals 2 and 3 of the Society’s Strategic Plan.

Governance Committees

• Committee on Chemical Safety
• Committee on Environmental Improvement
• Governing Board for the ACS Green Chemistry Institute ®
• Sustainability Stakeholders Steering Group (S3G)
  Recent Activities
  – Current Projects
  – Sustainability Engagement Event - 2010

Technical Divisions

• Chemical Health & Safety
• Chemical Toxicology
• Environmental Chemistry
• Fuel Chemistry
• Geochemistry

ACS Journals

• Environmental Science and Technology
  The authoritative source of information for environmental professionals presenting magazine and research content covering the environment and its protection by scientific, engineering, and political means.
• Energy and Fuels
  Publishes articles in the following disciplines and applications: catalysis & kinetics, combustion, environmental, fossil fuels, hydrogen, materials, process engineering, renewable, CO₂ issues, and batteries
• Chemical Research in Toxicology
  Provides a venue for presentation of research relevant to all aspects of the chemical basis of toxic responses. It emphasizes rigorous chemical standards and encourages application of modern techniques of chemical analysis to mechanisms of toxicity.
• ACS Catalysis New in 2011!
  Publishes original research on heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis, and bio-catalysis. Application coverage includes life sciences, drug discovery & development, household products, polymer discovery & production, environmental protection and energy & fuels.
• Journal of Physical Chemistry - A
  Publishing research on dynamics; clusters; excited states; kinetics; spectroscopy; atmospheric, environmental, and green chemistry; molecular structure; quantum chemistry; and general theory.
• Journal of Chemical Education
  The official journal of the Division of Chemical Education of the ACS which publishes experiments and classroom activities through its green chemistry feature.

C&EN Environmental SCENE

The first news channel launched by Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), ACS’ weekly newsmagazine, providing a steady stream of news about environmental research, business, and policy, including coverage of climate change, pollution, toxic substances, energy and sustainability.

Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions

A science podcast series, launched in 2008, to identify the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges, and explore the solutions emerging from chemistry.

Operational Practices

A Sustainable Workplace

Sustainability efforts implemented at the ACS headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Greening the ACS National Meetings & Expositions

ACS is committed to sustainable meetings and event practices. Since 2008, the ACS Committee on Meetings and Expositions has implemented a number of operational practices and partnered with service contractors that foster sustainability in each host city. Starting with the 2011 Spring National Meeting, ACS conducts sustainability audits and impact studies that include unique on-site data attributes and findings.

Grants & Awards

The ACS awards program recognizes advancement in sustainable chemistry and engineering through several awards. Additionally, ACS GCI, in coordination with the U.S. EPA administers judging for the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award.

ACS also offers grants to support the advancement of the chemical sciences through research, education, and community projects.