Institutional LEAF Progress
All of our 14 STEM Schools have gained 100% LEAF certification and we can now call ourselves ‘the first university in the world to gain institutional Green Lab Certification’.
The University of Bristol has made an organisational commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030 — an ambitious but achievable goal. To reach net-zero by 2030, STEM facilities must reduce energy consumption by 40-50%. Labs are extremely energy-intensive spaces and consume around five times more energy than office spaces, produce much more waste and require more procured consumables and services. At Bristol, labs occupy only 6% of the University’s spaces yet they account for 40% of energy usage. The LEAF certification managed by the Green Labs Team is one way the University has been reducing energy consumption associated with STEM activities and minimising the environmental impact of labs. We diligently and eagerly worked to become ‘the first university in the world to gain institutional Green Lab Certification’; this is an incredible accomplishment for both the University and STEM sustainability and we thank everyone who supported us in this endeavour. LEAF is an integral part of the University’s plan to become carbon neutral and we are proud to say that more than 37,000 m2 of lab spaces have been LEAF certified.
STEM Schools that have 100% departmental Green Lab Certification via LEAF include:
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience
- School of Anatomy
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
- School of Earth Sciences
- School of Geography
- School of Biological Sciences
- Bristol Veterinary School
- School of Biochemistry
- School of Psychological Science
- School of Chemistry
- Bristol Medical School
- School of Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Engineering Mathematics
- School of Civil, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
- School of Physics
Over the past year and excluding COVID-19 influences, the University has reduced energy consumption in the School of Biological Sciences by 16% (controls/BEMS optimisation), as well as most STEM Schools that have taken part in LEAF Green Lab Certification. We are continuously compiling more data but here is a glimpse of how LEAF has contributed to reducing energy, gas and water consumption in our STEM buildings from July 2018-19 to July 2019-20.
Although consumption appears to have increased in some categories, the overall trend indicates that energy, gas and water consumption are decreasing across STEM buildings which is exactly what the University is working towards.
Beyond the significant environmental benefit of Green Lab Certification, engaging with LEAF can also reduce utility costs, enhance research efficiency, and can be included within grant applications as our funding bodies begin to include sustainability within research financing. We have worked hard to achieve institutional LEAF across all our laboratories and call ourselves ‘the first university in the world to gain institutional Green Lab Certification’. Becoming the first institution in the world with 100% Green Lab Certification is an incredible achievement for the University but also for STEM sustainability. We hope you continue to support sustainability in labs by engaging with LEAF and adopting more sustainable practices in the lab.
5 July, 2021