Sustainability
In response to the climate emergency, there is increasing focus on the impact laboratory research has on the environment. Lab-based research is particularly resource intensive using large amounts of electricity, water, reagents and consumables. For example, in order to power lab equipment, a typical lab will use 3-10 times more energy per m2 than standard office spaces. Equipment such as fume cupboards and safety cabinets use large amounts of power. And one typical ultra-low freezer will consume as much energy as 1 average household. Lab water is often treated by purification units or autoclaved and many consumables are single use, sterile plastics. Research also creates a large amount of waste with much of this needing specialist energy-intensive treatment and disposal. As a result, the research community are becoming more aware that their disproportionate contribution to climate change can’t be dismissed.
Environmental Sustainability
Cancer Research UK has recognised this and are committed to driving a greener and more efficient research system. Their Policy for Environmental Sustainability in Research sets out a commitment to reduce direct and indirect emissions (scopes 1, 2 and 3) by 50% by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050. The policy requirements are intended to complement existing and prospective activities to improve sustainability in the research organisations that CRUK fund. It also requires research groups to hold an accreditation demonstrating the environmental sustainability of their laboratories.
CRUK have also signed the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice. This agreement commits CRUK to continue delivering cutting-edge research in a more environmentally responsible way.
Sustainability at CRUK Scotland Institute
We are committed to embedding sustainability into our work and actively participate in the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) accreditation, an initiative that helps our research, advanced technologies, and service groups reduce their environmental impact through improved resource management, energy efficiency, and responsible laboratory practices. Each group has a dedicated LEAF representative and have created a Sustainability Induction process for new members of their group, outlining best practices. Our labs are awarded either a Bronze, Silver, or Gold level depending on how many sustainability actions they take.
We are delighted to highlight that all established Scotland Institute research, advanced technologies and service groups have achieved at least Silver LEAF accreditation in 2025/26.
Sustainability · LEAF accreditation
Awards
All established Scotland Institute research, advanced technologies and service groups achieved at least Silver LEAF accreditation in 2025/26.
1Gold LEAF
28Silver LEAF
2Bronze LEAF
DB
David Bryant
Gold
IA
Imran Ahmad
Silver
TB
Tom Bird
Silver
KB
Karen Blyth
Silver
MB
Martin Bushell
Silver
LC
Leo Carlin
Silver
GC
Graeme Clark
Silver
SC
Seth Coffelt
Silver
VC
Vicky Cowling
Silver
ZD
Zoi Diamantopoulou
Silver
PG
Payam Gammage
Silver
DH
Danny Huang
Silver
GI
Gareth Inman
Silver
JL
John Le Quesne
Silver
HL
Hing Leung
Silver
TM
Tom MacVicar
Silver
KM
Kendle Maslowski
Silver
AM
Angela Miller
Silver
DM
Derek Miller
Silver
JM
Jen Morton
Silver
DM
Daniel Murphy
Silver
CN
Colin Nixon
Silver
JN
Jim Norman
Silver
VP
Valeria Pavet
Silver
ER
Ed Roberts
Silver
KR
Kevin Ryan
Silver
OS
Owen Sansom
Silver
DS
Douglas Strathdee
Silver
ST
Stephen Tait
Silver
RD
Ramanuj DasGupta
Bronze
RM
Ralitsa Madsen
Bronze
Scotland Institute Eco Committee
In addition to our lab LEAF representatives, the Scotland Institute has an active Eco Committee which aims to raise environmental awareness for all CRUK Scotland Institute staff and inspire others to improve sustainability and efficiency within our labs. The Committee meet quarterly to discuss environmental topics and support the Institute with new sustainable initiatives and LEAF accreditations. The Committee is led by Karen Thomas from the Lab Management team and researchers and staff from other areas of the Institute. The group attend sustainability seminars, events, and training courses, bringing back ideas to share best practices.
Energy-Savings Initiatives
A recent focus on energy-savings initiatives have encouraged staff to turn off lab and office equipment after use. Equipment is now routinely switched off including our microbiological safety cabinets. This has resulted in an annual saving of 45 tonnes of CO2e emissions. The group have also supported resetting ultra-low temperature freezers to -70°C where possible, resulting in an energy saving of 20% or 12 tonnes of CO2e per year. The group are keen to minimise waste and have provided reuse shelves where staff can share surplus equipment and materials for others to take. They have helped implement packaging take-back schemes where waste materials and plastics are returned to the supplier for recycling.
The group have also installed 2 CRUK donation station charity collection points in the Institute. Staff can bring in their unwanted household items and clothes and donate them here for re-sale, helping to reuse these items and raise funds for CRUK.