Chemical Solutions to the Current Polycrisis

In the past 15 years, we've experienced an unprecedented series of crises, including financial (2008), health (2020), and most recently the supply chain disruptions and the energy emergency in Europe, caused by the war in Ukraine (2022). On top of that, climate change still poses a serious threat to our lives and our planet. These interconnected challenges create tremendous societal problems and compromise the viability of the chemical industry in an environment of price volatility and high inflation. Thus, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has launched a series of actions to tackle this and raise awareness of the role of chemistry in solving our major threats. Since 2019, IUPAC has identified the “Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry” to connect chemical researchers with industry, bridging the gap between science and innovation, maintaining the current competitiveness of the chemical industry, as well as tackling our most pressing global challenges. In 2019, IUPAC started the “Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry” initiative. This article reviews the impact of the initiative and how it contributes to different areas, including sustainability, technology transfer, and education.