In December 2023 the discipline of Zoology in the School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin were awarded a green certificate from My Green Lab after achieving a phenomenal score of 97%! This was a major effort thanks to a dedicated committee led by Emma King.
What is My Green Lab?
My Green Lab Certification is awarded by My Green Lab to encourage sustainability in a lab-based environment. It has been recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as a key measure of progress towards a zero-carbon future. Even Science Foundation Ireland is encouraging participation recently provided support for applications. This can be undertaken by a single lab group or can even be carried out as a co-ordinated effort across a whole Discipline or School, as we did! Finally, once awarded, the certification lasts for two years and then needs to be reapplied for. Sustainability is a continuing process and there are always ways to improve!
On top of certification, there are many of programmes run by My Green Lab to encourage sustainability. These programmes provide guidance and inspiration to improve specific operations such as ultra-cold freezers and green chemistry. We have also previously partaken in the freezer challenge which was a big help in maximising our energy efficient use of freezers!
Our Journey
Way back in December 2022 a Green Lab committee was formed with at least one person representing each lab group. We first met to find out what My Green Lab certification was all about. We then completed a survey asking all sorts of questions in areas like travel, purchasing, and water. After returning the surveys we received a baseline score (of 55% which is still a bronze certificate so not bad aye). From here we could target where we could improve our sustainability and how to implement changes.
This was a team effort which involved regular meetings to keep on top of our progress and ensure we were improving steadily. We learned from each other and the co-operation and communication ensured that the learnings were spread across the whole discipline. Committee members then reported back to each of their lab groups to see what can change and be improved internally. Our score was also greatly improved by finding out a lot of information, this included finding relevant policies which were already in place departmentally. This endeavour was mainly taken on by our wonderful Senior Technical Officer Alison Boyce and Department Head Prof Paula Murphy.
Then in November 2023 the committee filled out the final survey. We completed it at the same time so if anyone had a question it could be answered immediately. This is where we scored 97%!
It has been an extremely rewarding journey, and one we are proud of! If any of you readers are interested in getting involved the committee would be happy to give some directions. Just email us (ecoevoblog@gmail.com) and we can send you on to the right people!
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