Ear Institute achieves Gold at the 2023 UCL Sustainability Awards

We are delighted to have successfully achieved Gold in LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework). Laboratory-based research is essential for advancing society but it is also extremely energy and resource intensive. It’s estimated that laboratories are responsible for around 2% of global plastic waste and use 3-10 times more energy per meter squared than a typical office. By joining the LEAF programme, laboratories reduce their carbon emissions and create an environment that supports research quality.

Laboratories are awarded either a Bronze, Silver, or Gold level depending on how many sustainability actions they take. Our plan which led to the Gold Award, was led by Scott Tytheridge and Caitlin Broadbent, with the help of one of our student sustainability ambassadors Monica Pagán. We want to send a big thank you to all lab users who have embraced changes and new ideas, and a special thank you to Carlos Francisco Aguilar Hernandez, Steve Terry for leading on the green chemistry project with Monica, all of which contributed to the gold award.

We also achieved Gold in Green Impact Office Awards. Green Impact is a UCL-wide environmental competition and accreditation scheme that allows departments and divisions across the university to improve their environmental impact, support UCL's Sustainability Strategy and engage peers and colleagues with these essential issues. Our thanks to all colleagues across the Institute who helped us achieve this award.

You can learn more about sustainability at the Ear Institute here.