20/10/2021
Key points:
The Babraham Institute, and other organisations from across the Babraham Research Campus, have launched their participation in the ‘Green Impact’ programme to reduce the environmental impact of their operations and activities. Green Impact is a multi-award winning programme for environmentally and socially sustainable practice, delivered by Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK). Over the coming year, the organisations will use a bespoke action plan to continue driving efforts to be more sustainable.
The commitment to this accreditation scheme follows over two years of work by a team of Institute staff to address the environmental impact of research and the activities that support science. Established in 2019 after recognising the resource-intensive nature of science, the Green Labs team have raised awareness of more sustainable practices in order to guide behavioural change and have identified key areas to tackle. Initiatives already in place include improved recycling services for laboratory equipment, making positive change through gains in energy efficiency, offsetting unavoidable conference travel and planting hedgerows with a local school. The newly launched blog series will share perspectives and personal case studies to encourage Institute members, and those at other research performing organisations, to become more aware of and take part in green initiatives. The first entry explains more about the creation and progress made under the Green Lab initiative to date and motivation for tackling the climate crisis at work.
Registering to participate in Green Impact will help to focus the environmental activities of the organisations involved over the next year and help to increase visibility of the work taking place on site. Dr Jo Durgan, senior research scientist and Chair of the Babraham Institute’s Green Labs steering group, explained: “The Green Labs steering group and teams across the Institute have been working hard to reduce the impact the Institute has on the planet. The Green Impact programme will help us address a wide range of areas, from energy, waste and water, to transport, nature and education in our continued efforts to become more sustainable. It’s great that Babraham Research Campus Ltd. and eight companies are joining us, creating a new sustainability network across campus.”
Green Impact also provides support and systems for monitoring progress. Representatives from the participating organisations have worked with SOS-UK to create a tailored action plan of over three hundred potential practical changes. By implementing these actions the organisations involved can work towards Bronze, Silver and Gold accreditation, and more importantly, reduce their environmental impact.
Follow the implantation of the Institute’s sustainability action plan through the Institute blog and the activities of Green Labs initiative on Twitter at @GreenBabraham.
Press contact Honor Pollard, Communications Officer, honor.pollard@babraham.ac.uk
Image description: Children from a local school planting a hedgerow as part of the Green Labs activities
Additional/related resources: Green Labs blog 19 October 2021: A blueprint for Green Labs: catalysing environmental action at the Babraham Institute News 3rd August 2021: Meet Dr Jo Durgan - Sir Michael Berridge award winner 2021
About the Babraham Institute The Babraham Institute undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. Our research focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The Institute is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, through Institute Strategic Programme Grants and an Institute Core Capability Grant and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities.
About BBSRC The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond. Funded by government, BBSRC invested £451 million in world-class bioscience in 2019-20. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
20 October 2021