What is LEAF? 

The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) is a sustainability programme helping labs reduce their environmental impact without compromising research quality. Labs can earn Bronze, Silver or Gold awards by meeting criteria across areas like waste, recycling, water, equipment and research quality. As of early 2026, nearly all labs in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH) are LEAF-certified, supporting the University-wide Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023–28. 

Our LEAF auditors 

The Faculty’s Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) also play a key role as LEAF auditors. They help labs receive LEAF awards by visiting labs in person, verifying their submissions and assessing whether they meet the award criteria. Many GTAs are also LEAF Champions, helping promote sustainable practices and sharing ideas across the Faculty. 

Two of our LEAF Lead Auditors shared their experiences through short excerpts below. 

What does it mean to me to be a LEAF auditor? 

Excerpt by Lea Shaughnessy 

Before I knew about LEAF, the weight of being “environmentally sustainable” was on the individual. This felt huge, amorphous, and unobtainable, especially as a lab-based researcher. My PhD is in environmental radiochemistry, and as I was already spending 40 hrs a week doing my best for the environment, it was hard to elect to engage outside of that. I heard about LEAF as an opportunity to make some income as a GTA, where I could be trained to audit labs for LEAF awards. Could the weight of climate change be shifted into incentivised and achievable goals? 

I took the leap, trained as an auditor and got to visit dozens of labs in Biology, the field of my undergrad studies. I joined a positive feedback loop of encouraging those taking action and experiencing their joy in return. I got to learn about what my peers were implementing and see a lot of ingenuity I’d never thought of myself. I could see how others lived sustainability, and as a nerd, this was very enjoyable. Suddenly, sustainability didn’t feel like the weight of reading bad news; now, it felt like a friendly conversation and new ideas, and it felt like financial stability for me.  

After every audit I return to my own lab for conversations around sustainability. We have a big research group of maybe 30 PhD students across a series of labs. Instead of the conversations starting with “you should really…” they were instead starting with “did you know…” or “have you heard…”. The ideas of sustainability in the lab weren’t coming as an instruction but instead as an idea through open conversations.  

My attitude has changed for the better, and this is encouraging for those around me. I’ve also realised how much we personally benefit from LEAF, from PhD students right up to PIs and University level. Saving time and money has never felt like a chore, I just didn’t know I could link it with my 6R habits! Peer-to-peer support is a pillar of scientific research, and it’s a pleasure to be involved in this so early in my career and makes me feel valued.  

As a PhD student, I’m at the beginning of my career in research, so I may have 40 years ahead of me. The practices I’ve learned from LEAF will remain with me throughout. I can take these practices with me to industry, as my PhD is closely linked with our nuclear industry as part of a large “training conveyor-belt”. I’ve learned how to cultivate a positive attitude towards sustainability, which I hope to share with those I’ll mentor in my career.  

Jeremy Dejardin’s perspective 

I’ve always been concerned about the amount of waste produced in laboratories, but I also understood that much of it is often necessary. I wanted to become a LEAF auditor to see how other labs tackled this difficult balance between scientific rigor and sustainability.  

Through auditing, I’ve found myself thinking more critically about sustainability in everyday life too, often asking whether something can be reused or repurposed.  

One of the most rewarding parts of the role has been meeting passionate LEAF Champions and learning about their research out of sheer curiosity. I’ve also started to ask more practical questions in my own work, such as ‘can this be simplified?’ or ‘how pure does this realistically need to be?’, often drawing inspiration directly from the labs I’ve audited. 

Want to get involved? 

To find out more about LEAF, LEAF Champions, and gaining accreditations for your lab group or space, visit the University’s new LEAF SharePoint Site, which includes full award criteria, step-by-step guides to starting your LEAF journey, case studies and more. 

If you would like to become a LEAF Champion for your group or lab space, please complete this registration form. 

If you are interested in becoming a LEAF auditor, please contact the Faculty’s Social Responsibility Team.  

Additional information 

Related blogs: 

• LEAF 2023 Update: FBMH Labs Embrace Sustainability with Pioneering Champions 
• Training to Help Make Science Sustainable 
• Top tips from Gold LEAF champions 
• Outstanding Labs Win GOLD LEAF Certification for Environmental Sustainability 

To find out more about Environmental Sustainability: visit the Faculty’s intranet page, website or contact srbmh@manchester.ac.uk to sign up to our ES Good Newsletter. For more information on Environmental Sustainability at the University watch this short film or visit our website.  

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