2024 Environment, Sustainability and Energy open Prize: Environment Prize Winner
Professor Jason Hallett, Imperial College London
Awarded for pioneering work on the development of ionic liquids as commercially relevant solvents in biorefining and the circular economy.
Professor Hallett’s research aims to transform the future chemical manufacturing sector by moving from fossil feedstocks to sustainable, low carbon bio-renewable feedstocks and from a linear to a circular manufacturing economy. He has developed a unique technology that uses multiple feedstocks (wood and waste) to ensure the continued growth of this thriving industry base without compromising global sustainability efforts.
Through his platform technologies, Professor Hallett has created a range of bio-based solutions for the chemicals, fuels, and materials sector that use low value waste lignocellulosic feedstocks. This reduces our reliance on imported agricultural sugars. Professor Hallett has co-founded seven companies to ensure the practical application of his research.
| Year | Name | Institution | Citation |
| 2023 | Professor Stuart Taylor FRSC | Cardiff University | Awarded for pioneering work on the discovery of catalysts that have been commercialised for environmental protection, including carbon monoxide oxidation catalysts for critical life support applications. |
| 2022 | Professor Arthur Ragauskas FRSC | Oak Ridge National Laboratory and University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Awarded for pioneering several widely used tools and approaches in biorefining, including the mechanistic understanding of lignin conversion chemistry. |
| 2021 | Professor Chunying Chen | National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China | Awarded for pioneering contributions in exploration of the nano–bio interface, providing fundamental insights into the fate of nanomaterials in biota and the environment. |
| 2019 | Professor Barbara J Finlayson-Pitts | University of California, Irvine | Awarded for groundbreaking research revealing new processes in the formation of photochemical air pollution and establishing the molecular basis of reactions occurring at environmental interfaces. |
| 2017 | Professor Dwayne Heard | University of Leeds | Awarded for outstanding contributions to understanding the chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere through measurements of the hydroxyl radical, and impacts on the international societal response to deteriorating air quality and changing climate. |
| 2015 | Professor Roy Harrison | University of Birmingham | Awarded for sustained and significant innovations in the application of analytical chemistry to air pollution and environmental health. |
| 2013 |
Professor Michael Wasielewski | Northwestern University | Awarded for his pioneering contributions to the field of artificial photosynthesis for solar energy conversion. |
| 2011 |
James Clark | University of York | Awarded for fundamental and applied research contributions to the areas of green chemistry, clean technology and sustainability and for educational, publishing and public awareness contributions in the green chemistry area. |
| 2009 |
James Durrant | Imperial College London | Awarded for his world-leading photochemical studies of solar energy conversion. |
Re-thinking recognition: Science prizes for the modern world
This report is the result of an independent review of our recognition programmes. Our aim in commissioning this review was to ensure that our recognition portfolio continues to deliver the maximum impact for chemical scientists, chemistry and society.