Make your research more sustainable. From reducing energy and water use to making smarter purchasing decisions and cutting waste, small changes in your laboratory can make a real difference to our environmental impact, improve efficiency and support world-class research.
In 2025, the University became one of the first signatories to the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice, strengthening our commitment to embedding sustainability across research.
In 2025/26, 34 University laboratories achieved LEAF accreditation, including twelve Silver and five Gold awards. This shows what's possible when colleagues turn practical actions into lasting change.
Whether you're a researcher, technician, academic or laboratory manager, you can help make research more sustainable. Explore our Sustainable Research Hub for practical guidance, resources and case studies to get started.
Meet the staff making research more sustainable
Colleagues across Bath are already using LEAF to reduce waste and energy use, improve efficiency and share good practice. Watch the video to discover why they got involved and how their actions are making a difference across our research community.
Their actions
You don't need to make major changes overnight. Start with practical steps you can take in your laboratory:
- save energy in your lab by switching off equipment
- check whether ultra-low temperature freezers can safely operate at higher temperatures, where appropriate
- check existing stock and share resources before buying new
- review purchasing decisions and consider the environmental impact of products and suppliers
- maintain equipment to extend its lifespan and maximise efficiency
- share good practice and include sustainability in inductions and training
When these actions become part of everyday practice, they can reduce resource use, cut costs and help build a culture where sustainability is part of excellent research.
Be part of your lab's LEAF journey
Whether your laboratory is already involved in LEAF or you're just getting started, there are plenty of ways to contribute:
- join your lab's LEAF team
- identify opportunities for improvement and put actions into practice
- become a trained LEAF auditor and support accreditation across the University
- share your successes and inspire others through our LEAF Network Teams channel
- attend our upcoming online Introduction to Lab Sustainability and LEAF course on Tuesday 3 November
Join our growing community of staff and students making research more sustainable. Together, we can turn practical action into lasting impact across laboratories at Bath.