When something is the same throughout and consists of all the same parts it is homogeneous. In chemistry, this means that it is a pure element, or a compound or mixture that contains the same composition throughout and in the same state of matter (solid, liquid, and gas). One way in which homogeneity is important to sustainability is through homogeneous catalysts. Due to the nature of homogeneous catalysts and the ability to easily characterize how they function, they are more easily modified for enhanced performance and can improve environmental and health impacts.