Sustainability in Action: Three Years of the IChemE Sustainability Hub

Programme director Trish Melton explains how, with IChemE’s support, chemical engineers are building the skills needed for a sustainable future

WHEN I helped establish the IChemE Sustainability Hub, I saw the need for a trusted, accessible space where chemical engineers could develop the knowledge and confidence to respond to the sustainability challenge. With the support of our donor and IChemE past president Ian Shott and our sponsors, Jane Cutler (ex-IChemE president) and Jon Prichard (ex-IChemE CEO) the Hub became a reality.

Three years on, the Hub is more than a library, it’s a community of purpose. This journey has been about empowering chemical engineers to ask better questions, make smarter decisions, and lead with integrity.

A Vision: a platform created by engineers, for engineers

The Hub was launched with a clear vision: to inspire and support chemical engineers to drive sustainability, as defined by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It aims to empower chemical engineers across their academic studies and professional life through high-quality, accessible learning that builds competence and confidence. Rooted in IChemE’s expertise and global network, the Hub delivers practical content aligned with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), as well as a horizontal learning track focused on the fundamentals of sustainability and professional ethics.

How the hub works: peer-reviewed, professionally guided

At the heart of the Hub is the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), a diverse panel of IChemE volunteers appointed through an interview process. Their role is to peer review all content, ensuring it is technically robust, practically relevant, and aligned with the SDGs.

“Chemical engineers are sustainability influencers; we are in unique positions to be prominent influencers of systems that impact the environment and society, as well as knowledge holders of the impacts that society and the environment have on those systems,” says TAG member Neil Blundell. “Understanding the fundamentals, scope, application, delivery and impact of sustainability should be a key pillar of a chemical engineer’s professional practice.”

The TAG also works closely with IChemE’s Learned Society Committee and Special Interest Groups (SIGs), making sure the Hub reflects the latest thinking from across the profession. The Hub signposts peer-reviewed content from around IChemE and industry. This structure gives the Hub its credibility: content by engineers, for engineers.

What makes the hub unique

The Hub is a living resource, updated regularly to reflect new technologies, policies and priorities. Courses span technical and strategic areas, from life cycle assessment to the basics of sustainability to ethical decision-making.

Every module is developed with subject experts and designed to help engineers apply sustainability thinking in real contexts. The Hub also signposts knowledge through In Focus articles and Chemical Engineer Success Stories. These highlight current hot topics and are responsive to the changes and updates in industry.

Built for every career stage

The Hub supports members across all levels:

• students and early-career engineers: the basics of sustainability, net zero and ethics
• mid-career professionals: courses on circular economy, water, and energy from waste
• leaders and managers: strategy and policy-aligned learning

The interactive modules, hosted in the IChemE Learning Platform, support CPD and flexible learning, as IChemE Fellow and TAG member David Platts explains: “Whether you’re starting out or nearing retirement, the Hub offers free, practical courses that support your development. It’s especially valuable for engineers in SMEs, where in-house resources may be limited. By integrating these training opportunities into your busy schedules, you can maintain continuous professional development and stay updated with sustainability best practices to tackle our complex interconnected challenges.”

The Hub also serves as a mechanism for collaboration within the Institution, between generations, and across the industry, with members globally invited to co-create content and share expertise.

A commitment to knowledge excellence