Our laboratories drive innovation and discovery, but they’re also among the most resource-intensive spaces on campus. From high-energy equipment to single-use plastics, research can have a significant environmental impact.
That’s where LEAF, the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework, comes in. The LEAF framework was developed by University College London and helps universities measure and improve lab sustainability while supporting high-quality research.
Through LEAF, labs can achieve Bronze, Silver, or Gold accreditation by improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, and embedding sustainable practices. It’s not about ticking boxes, it’s about saving resources, cutting costs, and building a lasting culture of sustainability. Taking part in LEAF also demonstrates our commitment to responsible and environmentally conscious research, which is increasingly recognised and valued by funders and policy makers.
Over the summer, our technical teams have been working hard alongside the Sustainability team to document existing actions and develop and implement new actions to ensure the sustainability of our research spaces.
The benefits of accreditation
This hard work has seen a number of our facilities receive awards. The School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences was the first School in the University to achieve Gold accreditation for its research facilities and this work was led by Technical Manager Emily Finch. Here she tells us a little bit more about the benefits:
What motivated your lab to take part in LEAF?
We followed a lot of sustainability practices anyway, but LEAF gave us an accreditation framework and guidelines that further pushed these for our department and labs. It also gave us a clear way to demonstrate that the work we do is both excellent and responsible.
Were there any “quick wins” that made a surprising difference?
We’ve implemented a new shutdown system in our labs which has been easy to set up, but has also been very successful. Everything has been marked up with a different coloured sticker so we know when we can turn it off. For example, a red sticker means equipment can be shut down immediately after use, whereas a blue sticker means it should only be switched off at the end of the term.
We’ve also found that simple things like putting posters up in labs has helped change habits quickly. These posters help explain the shutdown system, but general sustainability posters promoting LEAF have also been really successful.
What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
The main challenge was trying to change the sustainability culture, change can be hard to implement. We handled that by integrating actions into existing processes instead of creating new ones.
How did you get others in the lab engaged and onboard?
We built sustainability into things people were already doing rather than treating it as an extra task.
Inductions, health and safety procedures, standard operating procedures and lab rules were all updated to include the new practices, so everyone encountered them as part of “how we work” from day one.We also talked about the reasons behind the changes and kept the tone positive, not policing behaviour, but sharing knowledge and reinforcing that these everyday actions genuinely contribute to more sustainable research and teaching spaces. It is now also part of our lab inductions which enforces the normal practice of sustainability within our labs.
Has taking part in LEAF changed the way your lab operates day to day?
Yes. Things like shutdown checks, sharing stock, and thinking about end-of-life for equipment are now routine instead of occasional. It has become part of how we run labs not a separate “sustainability project".
Supporting our wider sustainability goals
Rebecca Rudd is one of the Sustainability Engagement Officers in our Sustainability team. Rebecca has played a key role in helping administer the system and audit the laboratory returns, as well as providing valuable support to new initiatives that have been developed. I spoke to her to find out more:
Why is LEAF important for our net-zero goals?
The LEAF programme directly supports carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices in research and teaching laboratories, areas that are usually known to have high energy and resource consumption. It also supports our Sustainability Sub-Strategy KPIs (.pdf) by increasing the proportion of our research that supports the enhancement and protection of the environment, and ensuring our research is conducted in ways that minimises our environmental impact.
How does it fit alongside other initiatives?
LEAF accreditation supplements our Sustainable Essex Awards, as it is a specialised area. We run the Sustainable Essex Awards internally, recognising teams across the university who are embedding sustainable practice into their business as usual. The awards empower staff and students to make their departments and workspaces more sustainable, contributing directly to the university’s net-zero target and wider sustainability and social responsibility goals.
What support is available for labs that want to get involved?
Our team supports the submission and auditing process, guiding those new to the scheme to compile their information. We have found that once they’ve had a steer, teams are able to get going pretty quickly – they are the experts in their area, after all. Where teams need assistance with getting actions in place, or understanding impacts of equipment, we can provide this.
How do we celebrate progress once labs achieve accreditation?
Teams achievements are celebrated through a number of communications channels, such as Essex Weekly, and we also post out the news on our social media pages ( and ). We also encourage departments to shout about their success too.
Looking ahead
A large number of other laboratories across the University are in the process of having their returns audited, shaping how we conduct research and ensuring a more sustainable future. Together, we can make our research spaces more efficient, resilient, and sustainable and lead the way in responsible research.
If your lab is interested in finding out more or getting started with LEAF, please contact our Sustainability team.
To find out more about the breadth of ways technicians across the UK contribute to making their institutions more sustainable from The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy.
