As part of our Sustainability Strategy Royal Holloway has signed up to UCL’s Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF).
The initiative is a standard that aims to improve the sustainability and efficiency of laboratories which, whilst critical to research, are identified as being extremely energy and resource intensive. Through LEAF lab users can apply for Gold, Silver or Bronze level depending on the type and amount of initiatives in place that improve environmental sustainability of laboratory activities.
The scheme was successfully trialled by technical colleagues from the Departments of Geography and Biological Sciences resulting in 1 bronze and 2 silver certificates awarded.
Technicians, Katy Flowers and Dr Marta Perez-Fernandez, with LEAF certificates for their labs in the Department of Geography.
We are now opening LEAF up to all other departments with laboratories who would like to gain LEAF accreditation. LEAF provides access to online guides and calculators to help measure and reduce the carbon footprint of laboratories. It is ideally suited to wet labs but dry labs can also apply. For more information see https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sustainable/take-action/staff-action/leaf-laboratory-efficiency-assessment-framework. The process involves completing an online questionnaire, individually or as part of a team, and then being audited by another LEAF member from a different department. For further guidance and instructions on how to sign your laboratories up contact Claire Mayers or Elaine Turton.
