[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ _builder_version=”3.0.106″ menu_id=”7″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” background_layout=”dark” module_class=”main-navigation” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner locked=”off”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.0.106″ title=”on” meta=”on” author=”on” date=”on” categories=”on” comments=”on” featured_image=”on” featured_placement=”above” text_color=”dark” text_background=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
The Faculty has committed to ensuring that <\/span>all applicable<\/span><\/b> wet laboratories achieve a <\/span>minimum of Bronze LEAF accreditation<\/span><\/b> by <\/span>December 2025<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>The <\/span>Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF)<\/span><\/b><\/a> is an innovative scheme designed to drive improvements in laboratory efficiency. Currently, <\/span>71% of FBMH labs<\/span><\/b> hold a LEAF accreditation. Each lab must nominate a LEAF Champion to lead the award application process.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Do you know who your LEAF Champion is?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So far, 92% of PIs have a LEAF Champion. <\/span>If your wet lab doesn\u2019t have a LEAF Champion, we want to hear from you.<\/span><\/b> The accreditation process can take a couple of months, so it is vital that all unaccredited labs have a LEAF Champion in place as soon as possible. LEAF champions are usually PhD students but can also be a PI if you have a small lab.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why is this important?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The University has committed to <\/span>achieving zero carbon emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 2038 and net zero for Scope 3 by 2050<\/span><\/a>. Scope 1 and 2 are under our direct influence and account for 10% of our emissions, whereas Scope 3 account for 90% and are much harder to address. To achieve this, we must consider how we operate across all University spaces, including laboratories. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n LEAF is a national sustainable labs accreditation programme adopted by many universities. It is soon to become a compulsory requirement to grants from select funders (e.g. CRUK, Wellcome).\u00a0 It provides a structured framework for wet lab users to assess and improve their environmental performance. The scheme recognises existing best practices and offers a roadmap for further improvements.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In achieving a LEAF accreditation, labs are taking shared action to reduce negative environmental impacts and emissions and transition to sustainable practices. These actions align with the university\u2019s recent commitments in signing <\/span> the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How to achieve Bronze accreditation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Nominate a LEAF Champion to lead the accreditation process for your lab. PIs who share a lab can share a LEAF Champion, but larger labs are encouraged to have a LEAF Champion per PI group to coordinate efforts.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Attend LEAF002 training<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Access internal LEAF resources and use them to make an award application<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 4. LEAF champions then submit an award application on the UCL website and one of our LEAF Auditors will arrange an audit. If you are successful then you will be sent a certificate to display.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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