Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF)

Laboratories are extremely energy and resource intensive facilities. Laboratories typically consume up to 10x more energy and 4x more water than equivalent office spaces. It has been estimated that approximately 2% of the world’s plastic waste originates from life science labs alone.

It can be easy to believe that research is inherently wasteful and resource intensive. However huge savings can be achieved through simple behaviour and process changes. Studies have shown that most labs can reduce their energy consumption by 30-50% without changing their existing technology and infrastructure.

UNSW has over 75,000 square meters or laboratory space and the total environmental impact of these laboratories is significant. UNSW is committed to making science more sustainable in our research & teaching laboratories by supporting a University-wide LEAF program.

On average, LEAF teams reduce emissions by 3 tonnes per team. To date, the UNSW LEAF program has stopped an estimated 640 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.

Introducing LEAF in your lab can have significant financial benefits. A UCL study found that LEAF labs saved on average $7500 per year due to their more efficient resource use, energy savings and decreased waste production.

Registered LEAF groups report improved communication and efficiency, as well as increased staff/student morale and engagement. Increasingly, people value being in a workplace that considers its environmental impact. 

Safety improvements are an often-unexpected benefit associated with lab sustainability.  Sustainability initiatives that target fume cupboard efficiency, chemical management and waste separation align closely with safety objectives.

Finally, institutes like UK Research and Innovation have committed to incorporating sustainability criteria into their future grant and funding decisions. Becoming LEAF accredited is a good way to future proof your labs funding streams in anticipation of these industry changes. 

Anyone working in any type of laboratory or workshop at UNSW can organise a team to take part in the program. LEAF is applicable to dry labs, wet labs and teaching labs. Your team can cover a research group within a laboratory, a whole laboratory or a group of laboratories. If your lab is affiliated with UNSW in any way, you can register a team. The only requirement is a UNSW zID number. 

• How many people can represent a lab in LEAF?

Your LEAF team can be as big as you want! However we recommend having one or two contacts responsible for data entry in the platform. Once your LEAF contacts are registered online, they can download and share the LEAF criteria with the entire team.

• I don’t have a wet lab – is this tool appropriate?

Yes, dry labs and other workshops are more than welcome! We previously trialed LEAF in dry labs at UNSW and found that the LEAF toolkit is suitable for computer labs and workspaces. Several actions relate to managing large equipment like high-performance computing systems and monitors, as well as actions related to flexible working arrangements for dry labs to cut down on the carbon emissions from the morning commute. Please give it a go, we would love to receive your feedback!

• The criteria are not relevant to me… what should I do?

You may find that not all the framework’s criteria relate to your work. This is okay! Briefly explaining why the criteria is not relevant to your lab is often enough to receive accreditation. We also encourage you to find alternative initiatives that are relevant to your space. You can add new actions under “Step 3, Open Initiatives”. If you think of new or improved criteria, please let us know! The program is intentionally flexible to allow all lab user to participate.

• How does LEAF align with Health and Safety measures?

LEAF aligns with UNSW’s commitment to health and safety. One of the benefits of LEAF is that it is developed by researchers, clinicians, industry users and technicians to align with the best health, safety and biosecurity measures. The LEAF criteria are carefully selected and have been tested and implemented in more than 95 institutions worldwide in over 15 countries. LEAF actions also have relevant UNSW safety guidelines and procedures identified in the toolkit, and we will continue to work with the Health and Safety team to ensure LEAF reflects the latest measures.

Please feel free to check the guidelines and if you still have any concerns, please contact us at LEAFlabs@unsw.edu.au or raise the issue in the Teams Channel. We will ensure your concerns are addressed and may be able to find another sustainable alternative to the action.

• Some of these changes need resources, and I can’t commit them. What should I do?

We do not expect any laboratory group to commit resources to addressing LEAF criteria and we do not want the (un)availability of resources to affect your ability to complete LEAF. If you have any concerns about resources required to complete LEAF, please raise it by contacting LEAFlabs@unsw.edu.au. We do not expect you to make any cost-bearing changes. Please contact us and we will find a solution.

• How long will it take to implement LEAF in my lab?

This varies based on the size of the lab and how it is set up. LEAF has been designed to minimise administration, whilst maximising action. Surveyed labs have indicated that they spent approximately 1-5 hours working on LEAF in their first year.

• How can the EM Environmental Sustainability team support me?

The EM Environmental Sustainability team will support your team throughout the LEAF process. You decide how to organise your team and what style of communication works best for you. We provide toolkits, learning resources, training, presentations and financial support through our LEAF Lab Grants initiative.

LEAF champions are staff and students who are familiar with the LEAF program and are passionate about making their faculty more sustainable. Contact them if you have questions or ideas about LEAF and would like to talk to someone within your own faculty.

If you would like to be added as a LEAF champion, please email us at LEAFlabs@unsw.edu.au.

LEAF Coordinator 

Science 

Engineering 

Medicine and Health 

For more information or event details contact LEAFlabs@unsw.edu.au.