2025 Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge – Top 5

We believe that chemistry plays a critical role in developing a sustainable future. Chemists have a special responsibility to develop those new products, resources and processes to make that happen. 

The Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge stands as one of the Elsevier Foundation’s flagship initiatives. In collaboration with Elsevier’s Chemistry journals, the Elsevier Foundation awards funding of $25,000 USD each to two winning projects annually. These projects are focused on implementing green and sustainable chemistry solutions in the Global South, thereby advancing both Climate Action (SDG13) and Gender Equity (SDG5).

We are thrilled to announce the top 5 contestants who have been selected for their groundbreaking proposals. These innovative projects will be showcased at the 9th Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference, taking place from March 4-6, 2025. Each contestant will have the opportunity to pitch their proposals to the scientific jury of the Challenge.

• An Pegels, Expanding Regenerative Food Forestry: PORETs Initiative in Honde Valley
• Mariana Franco Morgado, From maize wastewater to bones: tortilla enriched with mineral precursor against osteoporosis for rural women
• Mokgadi Hlongwane, Development of Lessertia frutescens nodulating rhizobia as a bioinoculant to alleviate climate change effects in medicinal plants and crops
• Nim Jay, Extraction of collagen and collagenase from fish waste for wound care and economic empowerment of women through value addition of fish waste
• Pooja Singh, Waste resource-based biodegradable and sustainable sanitary napkins for management of menstrual hygiene