The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) program returns for its fifth year and runs from March to December.
LEAF is an internationally recognised green lab accreditation that aims to improve environmental outcomes and build a culture of sustainable practice in laboratories. LEAF is used in more than 120 institutions across 20 countries around the world.
With 2024 officially being the warmest year on record and the first calendar year that average global temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels (Corpernicus), all industries need to get serious about tackling greenhouse gas emissions, including research and education.
LEAF at UNSW
The UNSW LEAF program began in 2021 and has gone from strength to strength. In 2024, a record 80 teams registered from across Engineering, Science and Medicine & Health. The program recently grew by welcoming teams from the Division of Research & Enterprise, as well as lab groups from outside Kensington campus, like the rural clinical campuses at Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie.
UNSW labs teams hold 34 Bronze Awards, 18 Silver Awards and 6 Gold Awards. The combined effort of these lab teams is achieving significant water savings, and a reduction in energy intensity, waste generation and single-use plastics. An estimated $430,000 in financial savings and 600 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) have been avoided since the program’s inception.
With encouraging momentum evidenced by schools such as Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences nearing 100% uptake, the Estate Management (EM) Environmental Sustainability team has set a goal to have 50% of UNSW laboratory spaces registered in the program by the end of 2025.
How does it work?
Once registered, teams gain access to an online platform where they work through a list of achievable actions to reduce the environmental impact of their lab. Teams tackle areas such as single-use plastics, resource-intensive processes, equipment management and waste generation. All LEAF teams receive ongoing support from the EM Environmental Sustainability team, with sustainability guides, energy efficiency products, in-person guidance and up to $1000 in funding through the LEAF lab grants initiative.
Using in-software emission calculators, teams can input equipment and behaviour data to see the real-world impact of their hard work.
New laboratory teams are recommended to start with the achievable Bronze Award criteria and then progress through the more challenging silver and gold levels at their desired pace. At the end of the year, teams go through a submission and audit process before receiving their accreditation certificate at the annual end-of-year LEAF Awards celebration.
Who can participate in LEAF?
Anyone working in any type of laboratory or workshop at UNSW can organise a team to take part in LEAF. Your team can encompass a research group or technical team 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 to register
Registrations are open now. If you would like to join the movement and help improve the sustainability and efficiency of your laboratory, it takes five minutes to register using your UNSW email address or visit LEAF at UNSW.
For more information contact LEAFlabs@unsw.edu.au or request a calendar invite to join the annual program kick-off morning tea on Thursday 27 March, 10.30-11:30am.