First labs achieve silver LEAF award
The University of Surrey’s Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (CN) and Innovation for Health Lab (IFH) are the first on campus to achieve a silver LEAF accolade.
The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) is a sustainable labs accreditation scheme initially set up by 23 universities across the UK. LEAF provides lab users with a framework to address and improve their sustainability practices.
Both Dr Phil Dean (CN) and Eddie McCarthy (IFH), have worked with their teams to action the LEAF criteria – successfully passing both the bronze and silver audit stage. They now plan to work towards gold – the highest award available with LEAF.
The LEAF scheme has been running at the University since November 2023 and aims to support labs’ sustainable journeys - tackling their high energy and resource rates.
The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, have agreed to roll out the initiative into all labs across the University. So far 17 labs have signed up to the scheme, with 6 completing bronze and more on their way to silver.
The University’s implementation of LEAF is a part of its ambition to embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals into its operations, research and teaching. LEAF tackles ‘climate action’ (SDG13) and ‘responsible consumption and production’ (SDG12).
Related sustainable development goals
