Green science & Technology for a sustainable world

Green Science & technology are key to ensuring Africa’s long term economic growth and to do this in a way which minimises damage to the environment. Science, technology and innovation will play pivotal roles in ensuring that our next generation of chemicals, energy and manufactured goods are made in a more sustainable way than is currently the case. Certain critical advantages will enable Africa to capitalise on new and sustainable manufacturing technologies include: valuable energy source

A wealth of

local expertise in natural product chemistry

Talented young scientists

A large and motivated workforce, which is enthusiastic about education.

　

these advantages and to develop world-leading technologies based on the principles of green manufacturing. Making value-added products in Africa, where possible, rather than exporting the raw materials, will contribute to the economic growth of the continent. Wealth Not Wealth not Waste: Green science and engineering for sustainable growth in Africa report discusses how science and engineering are fundamental to meeting these needs in a sustainable way. The principles of Green Chemistry and sustainable manufacturing are discussed and shown to be crucial if Africa is to enjoy economic growth by using, and at the same time preserving, its unique resources and biological diversity.Key Recommendations decade driven by export-led industries. The future growth of Africa’s industries will only be sustained through the application of green science and technology.: water, food, medicines, energy, manufactured goods and transport, must be made and delivered in ways which do not damage the environment, enabling the creation of wealth for future generations to enjoy.and developing industries.valuable expertise in the chemistry of natural products, and innovation in these technologies presents a tremendous opportunity for Africa.food, health and personal care products derived from natural products, and much interest in plant-based pharmaceuticals. African industries have a competitive advantage in these areas because of the wealth of available plant resources and local expertise. The manufacture of natural products requires solvents to extract the active ingredients from plant material. Conventional processes use solvents that contribute to the production of toxic waste and the cost of their disposal is a significant proportion of the manufacturing cost. and set of circumstances. , the wealth and the size of the population of each country. There needs to be a focus on recycling to preserve resources, for instance, by increasing the use of compost from agricultural waste to improve soil fertility.of talented individuals going into science and engineering. The scientists they train need to participate in international networks to allow optimal utilisation of equipment and to enable people with different skills and capabilities to work together. Collaboration between academia and business is the key to driving innovation and unlocking the potential of green manufacturing. 1. Africa has enjoyed robust economic growth over the past
2. Africa has an abundance of sustainable natural resources which can be used as raw materials in new
3. The use of solvents with a relatively low environmental impact, such as water, ethanol and carbon dioxide, is essential in the sustainable manufacture of plant-based products.
4. A focus on recycling will benefit all Africans. There is no single best method of waste management. This will be different for each country
5. For Africa to meet these challenges it must tap into local expertise, expand the skills base through education and develop effective networks.
6. African leaders must have the vision to capitalise on innovation in green science and technology and to learn from the past mistakes of the economically developed world. Policies should be developed and implemented across government to ensure the adoption of the principles of green science and technology. Strong, enlightened governance is vital if the people of Africa are to benefit from export-led growth whilst dealing with the challenges of a growing population and the need to improve the standard of living.It is vital that there is a trained cadre of scientists ready to develop and apply green science and technology across Africa. Schools and universities must be able to increase the supply The type and amount of waste produced depends on the consumer habits There is growing demand for Products based on the principles of green science and technology have a growing market worldwide, and the local manufacture of high value products from sustainably produced raw materials will contribute to the growing economy of the continent. African scientists have Sustaining this growth is essential if African people and investors are to benefit. For this to be achieved over the long term, the basic requirements of society is a report on the 1^{st Pan Africa Chemistry Network (PACN) Green Chemistry Congress, held on 15-17 November, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This}

An abundance of sustainable natural resources which can be used as raw materials for new and growing industries

An abundance of sunlight as a

Chemical and manufacturing industries which are in their infancy and therefore have no legacy of non-sustainable manufacturing practices

Africa is well placed to capitalise on

　

The basic requirements of society include water, food, shelter, medicines, energy, chemicals, transport and manufactured goods.
The findings and recommendations in this report represent the views of the 190 scientists and practitioners that attended this conference from 11 different countries in Africa, as well as from Europe, the USA and Brazil, and from the delegates who participated in the discussion forum at the post-conference workshop held at the RSC in London on 7th March 2011.

http://www.rsc.org/images/WealthNotWaste%20Annual%20Review_tcm18-201490.pdf