Eco-pedagogy in chemistry education: challenging market-driven policies

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of market-driven policies on adoption and integration of green chemistry into higher education in Saudi Arabia, uncovering challenges and opportunities faced by educators and institutions in promoting sustainable scientific education. Design/methodology/approach This study used a grounded theory methodology to explore the integration of green chemistry in Saudi Arabian higher education amid market-driven policies. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 participants, and data were analyzed using a systematic coding process. Findings The study reveals that market-driven policies significantly influence the integration of green chemistry by prioritizing immediate economic returns over long-term sustainability goals. Key challenges include securing funding and aligning green chemistry with traditional curricula. Opportunities to promote sustainability through curricular reform and policy adaptation were identified. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to Saudi Arabian higher education, which may affect the generalizability of findings to other contexts. Practical implications Insights suggest policymakers should re-evaluate prioritization of short-term economic gains and develop incentives to integrate green chemistry. Institutions are encouraged to invest in faculty development, adopt interdisciplinary approaches and collaborate with industry and government. Social implications Integrating green chemistry into higher education promotes environmental stewardship and prepares future generations to address sustainability challenges. Institutions can shape environmentally conscious societies by fostering a culture of sustainability and ethical responsibilities. Originality/value This study contributes to discourse on sustainability in education by providing a grounded theoretical analysis of the dynamics between market-driven policies and green chemistry integration, offering insights for policymakers, educators and researchers.