Sustainable Laboratories and LEAF Accreditation
LEAF is an accreditation system that assesses sustainability standards within laboratories, awarding Bronze, Silver, or Gold certification based on actions to reduce energy, waste, and resource use.
Following a pilot project at the start of 2025, four University laboratories achieved LEAF accreditation, demonstrating leadership in sustainable research. The Kumar Lab (Chemistry), the Czekster Lab (Biology) and laboratories in the School of Medicine achieved Silver, while the Pulver Lab (Psychology and Neuroscience) achieved Gold.
Dr Amit Kumar said: “My lab works on the development of sustainable chemical processes, and I have been hearing about LEAF certification for five years. Certain lab practices can contribute significantly to the reduction of waste, energy, and cost as well as introduce positive research culture and awareness in the group. Completing the LEAF certification allows one to think about these practices and create new strategies that benefit the team, School, University, and planet.”
Of particular note was the leadership postgraduate lab members took towards achieving certification. Dr Stefan Pulver encourages labs to go for LEAF accreditation, and to empower their students. He said: “I would advise everyone to engage with the process and do what they can. I would also advise everyone to involve their students and early career researchers in the process, as they can be wonderful leaders.”
The process, supported by Sarah Cook in Business Transformation, was viewed as both a practical and cultural step toward reducing carbon emissions, energy consumption, and waste, while also enhancing awareness of sustainable practices among students and early-career researchers.
LEAF accreditation has now become a requirement for labs funded by the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK, with minimum levels set at Bronze and Silver respectively, and we anticipate more funding bodies will adopt a similar certification requirement, including for dry labs.