Environmental sustainability for researchers

As supporters of the Concordat for Environmental Sustainability in Research we want to encourage and share good practice when it comes to sustainability.

Here are some ways you can consider making your research better for planetary health:

1. Go digital to reduce paper waste

• Use electronic lab notebooks instead of paper-based records
• Share documents, reports, and manuscripts digitally rather than printing
• Implement digital signatures and online collaboration tools

2. Optimise energy use in labs

• Use energy-efficient equipment and LED lighting
• Turn off or unplug unused devices, including fume hoods, centrifuges, and computers
• Consolidate freezer storage and use -70°C instead of -80°C to save energy

3. Reduce, reuse, and recycle lab materials

• Choose reusable lab supplies (e.g. glass instead of plastic)
• Recycle paper, pipette tip boxes, chemical bottles, and packaging
• Reuse reagents and chemicals where safe and possible

4. Use sustainable lab consumables

• Choose suppliers that offer sustainable and biodegradable alternatives
• Prioritise products with minimal packaging or those made from recycled materials
• Participate in lab recycling programmes for gloves, pipette tips, and plastics

5. Adopt green chemistry principles

• Minimise hazardous chemical use by opting for safer alternatives
• Scale down reactions to use fewer reagents and solvents
• Properly dispose of chemical waste through designated eco-friendly channels

6. Reduce water consumption

• Use water-efficient autoclaves, dishwashers, and purification systems
• Turn off taps when not in use
• Repair any leaks promptly

7. Choose sustainable travel options

• Reduce air travel by opting for virtual conferences and meetings
• Use public transport, carshare, or active transport (such as cycling) when commuting to research facilities
• Offset carbon emissions from necessary travel with certified programmes

8. Sustainability in field research

• Use non-invasive data collection methods where possible
• Choose eco-friendly sample storage and transport solutions

9. Advocate for institutional sustainability policies

• Encourage your employer to implement sustainability programmes
• Engage in interdisciplinary collaborations for sustainable solutions

10. Educate and inspire others

• Promote sustainability awareness within your research group
• Share best practices with colleagues and students
• Publish and present on eco-friendly research methods to drive change in the field

Further information

Here are some further initiatives focused on environmental sustainability in research:

• My Green Lab: A non-profit organisation dedicated to creating a culture of sustainability in laboratories through programs, certifications, and educational resources.
  
• International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories: Focuses on advancing sustainable laboratory practices globally through education, resources, and events.

• Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF): A framework by UCL to improve the sustainability and efficiency of laboratories, offering tools and resources to reduce carbon emissions and resource use.

• NIHR Carbon Reduction Guidelines: Provides guidelines for researchers to reduce carbon emissions in health research, supporting the NHS's goal of becoming a net-zero health service.