Program Overview

Introduction to the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF)

The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) is a proven standard for sustainable laboratory operations used by labs globally. It has been designed as a tool to help tackle the environmental impacts of conducting research in labs, such as energy and water consumption, supply chain impacts, travel, teaching, and culture.

Benefits of LEAF

By taking part in the LEAF programme, laboratories will:

• reduce environmental impacts
• promote efficiencies
• foster a culture of sustainability
• save money
• focus on research quality

Getting Started with LEAF

To help laboratories get started with taking action on sustainability, LEAF provides:

• a toolkit with actions broken down into themes and levels
• calculators to help estimate and understand the impact of actions

Proven Success of LEAF

UCL developed LEAF, which was launched in 2018, and ran a 2-year pilot across 23 universities and research institutes. The results of the pilot were overwhelmingly positive:

• 235 lab groups took part
• each lab group saved an average ｣3,700 per year
• carbon savings were the equivalent of taking 140 standard passenger vehicles off the road in a year
• 99% of those surveyed said they would use LEAF again

Joining the Lab Sustainability Community

At the University of Bath, laboratories are part of a community committed to transformational change to tackle sustainability challenges. The community is active and supportive, taking action in labs. Laboratories can also connect with others taking action and learn from trials and best practice across the wider research community through the:

• Laboratory Efficiency Action Network (LEAN), the UK's green labs network
• Sustainable European Laboratories network (SELs)

Becoming a LEAF Auditor

LEAF auditors are members of the LEAF community who have done peer-learning training to become LEAF auditors. As a LEAF auditor, one will be responsible for deciding whether a lab meets the criteria for Bronze, Silver, or Gold level. Each audit is conducted by two auditors, allowing for discussion of comments or feedback before making final decisions.

Progress at the University of Bath

156 labs across 12 departments are already working with LEAF and delivering real change tackling sustainability challenges in the lab. The current certification status is:

• Bronze certified labs: 40
• Silver certified labs: 25
• Gold certified labs: 2
• Working towards certification: 89

Testimonials

LEAF has helped laboratories integrate sustainability practices, recognize wasteful behaviors, save money, and reduce carbon emissions. It has provided a good opportunity to assess sustainability issues and spurred laboratories to make simple changes with a positive environmental impact.

Accessing and Using LEAF

The LEAF programme relaunches at the start of each academic year. For labs that want to be certified within that year, submissions will need to be completed by 18 May each year. Most audits take place during the summer, but some can be done across the year.