Our Sustainable laboratories report reveals the challenges scientists face in making the way we do science more sustainable.
The links in the table below highlight some resources from around the world: you'll find communities, tools and guidelines to help make the work in your lab more environmentally sustainable.
Explore more resources for sustainable labs
Download full report
Read in depth insights into what our community is already doing to make labs more sustainable, and the barriers and opportunities for everyone.
Case studies
Read in-depth case studies from those who have made changes towards making their own lab settings more sustainable.
Sustainable labs grant
Apply for up to £10,000 to help make your research activities more sustainable.
Tools, initiatives, networks and forums
Use the links in the table below to find resources, communities, tools and guidelines to help make the work in your lab more environmentally sustainable.
| Tools and guidance | Description |
|---|---|
| Open source software, compatible with Python, that tracks emissions associated with code execution. | |
| An open source web application that enables research laboratories to calculate their carbon footprint along a standardised, open protocol for French public research. | |
| A free-to-use research carbon accounting tool. | |
| This pack gives an overview of key resources and case studies on how to improve the environmental impact of laboratories and quality control testing. Whilst this information pack has general principles applicable to all laboratories, there is a particular focus on greening analytical laboratories. | |
| Initiatives | Description |
| Develops and disseminates green chemistry and sustainable science educational resources that empower educators, students and the community to practice sustainability through chemistry. | |
| A framework developed by the UK’s National Union of Students (NUS) for organisations to be environmentally and socially sustainable. It supports teams to embed the university’s or college’s sustainability strategy into everyday practices, and provides online toolkits, monitoring and awards. | |
| Engages members on lab sustainability and signposts tips, resources and provides benchmarking too. It has adopted Laboratories for the 21st Century (Labs21), a former joint venture between the US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Energy. | |
| An open resource and blog for the life science community to reduce laboratory waste, use green chemistry, conserve water and save energy. | |
| The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework is a sector-wide framework developed at University College London to help improve sustainability and efficiency of laboratories including tools and standards for sustainable laboratory operations. | |
| Resources to embed laboratory sustainability best practices including laboratory sustainability certification and signposting ways to reduce the environmental impact of laboratory processes. My Green Lab also supports the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge and ACT Environmental Impact Factor Label for laboratory products. | |
| Primarily funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, this not-for-profit initiative is aimed at facilities, technical support and managers in laboratories. It supports improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of laboratories, especially in universities and research institutes. | |
| A global green chemistry project from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and partners to increase global awareness and deploy green chemistry approaches and technologies. One of its main outputs is the Green Chemistry Guidance Document and Technology Compendium. | |
| Examples of national programmes |
|
| Networks and forums | Description |
| ISCN aims to provide an international forum to support higher education institutions in the exchange of information, ideas, and best practices to achieve sustainable campus operations and to integrate sustainability in research and teaching. It awards ISCN Sustainable Campus Excellence Awards in three categories: Whole Systems Approach; Partnerships for Progress; and Cultural Change for Sustainability. | |
| Laboratory Efficiency Action Network brings together members that work within laboratories or sustainability departments in publicly funded institutions. | |
| A grassroots initiative within the Max Planck Society bringing together scientists, and technical and administrative personnel to improve cooperation and to develop less resource-intensive scientific and day-to-day practice. | |
| Events and reports | Description |
| We teamed with the Royal Society in May 2023 to host a sustainability conference looking at sustainability in various aspects of the research and innovation environment. Following this event, which looked at both industry and academia, a detailed report was produced recapping the activity at the conference. | |
| This webinar from RSC magazine Chemistry World, held on 21 September 2023, is entitled "Innovating for the future of sustainable labs". We hear from three scientists driving important changes in laboratory sustainability. |
Sustainable laboratories journal articles
Green labs collection
This collection of research from our journals showcases some of the innovative approaches to reduce the environmental impact of research, from solvent selection guides to machine learning approaches and more.
Call for papers
RSC Sustainability is welcoming papers, reviews, and perspectives that address various approaches to reduce the environmental impact of research and make laboratories more sustainable. Find out more.
Opinion pieces on sustainable labs
An open minded approach to sustainable labs
Professor Helen Sneddon was instrumental in the creation of our Sustainable Laboratories report. She tells us about her experiences in implementing sustainable lab practices, and emphasises the importance of teamwork and knowledge-sharing.
Every positive change makes a difference
Professor Andrew Burrows has been leading on changes to research and teaching labs at the University of Bath, aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of research. He says that robust data will be key for improving sustainability across the board.
Deirdre Black, Head of Research & Innovation at the 萝莉社, introduces the Sustainable Laboratories programme, and reflects on reasons to engage with greener labs initiatives.
Going greener in the lab (downloadable graphic)
Use this list of ideas to get started on your own journey to make your research more sustainable. We welcome your feedback on this! (Download link below.)
What would you like to know about sustainable labs?
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Themed journal collection: Sustainable laboratories
This collection of research showcases from our journals some of the innovative approaches to reduce the environmental impact of research, from solvent selection guides to machine learning approaches and more.