EMBL’s Sustainability Journey

Online via Microsoft Teams

This culture seminar will delve into The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) sustainability journey. At a time when scientific advances should aim to align with environmental challenges, scientific institutions must conduct environmentally responsible science. EMBL launched its first sustainability strategy in 2021 and has since implemented several measures involving all members of staff, including scientists, administration and facilities management. It comprises behavioural change campaigns – among which the implementation of the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) –, community engagement such as Green Week activities, and operational actions – which include energy and waste management. A combination of both  top-down and bottom-up approaches, with the input and collaboration from scientists, and the management of the sustainability office and EMBL’s directorate, has proven successful in creating a sustainability-minded scientific community within EMBL.