Sustainable Laboratory Certification for NIBRT’s Characterisation and Comparability Lab

We are proud to announce that NIBRT’s Characterisation and Comparability Lab has achieved a Green Level Certification from My Green Lab.  Principal Investigator Jonathan Bones and his team took part in Research Ireland’s Sustainable Laboratory Certification Pilot Programme which launched in October 2023 in partnership with Impact Laboratories and My Green Lab.

Announcing 72 certifications across 12 higher education institutions today, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD said “Research involves more than exploration and discovery; it also demands attention to how we conduct our work and the impact it has on our communities and our planet. Research carries with it a responsibility to operate with integrity, to use resources wisely, and to ensure our pursuit of knowledge does not come at an unsustainable cost to the world around us. I warmly congratulate all the laboratory teams recognised today for their commitment to greener practices. This initiative, led by Research Ireland, marks a significant and encouraging step in placing sustainability at the centre of our national research system and signals Ireland’s intent to lead by example on climate-conscious innovation.” 

Welcoming the announcement, Dr Ciarán Seoighe, Deputy CEO at Research Ireland and the agency’s Climate Champion, commented: “Research Ireland wishes to congratulate and thank all those involved in the pilot. Not only have participants changed their research practices for the better, but, in turn, they have helped to shape Research Ireland’s approach going forward. The independent evaluation endorsed the pilot and has set out clear recommendations for next steps. Research Ireland will continue to work closely with the research community nationally and internationally as we expand our climate action activities.”

My Green Lab is a non-profit organisation that aims to improve the sustainability of scientific research. In this pilot programme, labs were supported through the My Green Lab Certification programme, which assesses each lab and recommends changes to be implemented in areas such as energy usage, water and waste management over a specific time period. 

James Connolly, CEO, My Green Lab and Impact Laboratories, stated: “At My Green Lab, our mission is to foster a global culture of sustainability within the scientific community, transforming our industry into a world leader in environmental stewardship. Since the first laboratory at the CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices achieved certification in 2019, Ireland has demonstrated exceptional commitment to this mission — now ranking second globally for the number of laboratories enrolled in the My Green Lab Certification Programme. This report reaffirms what we have long known: Irish academia continues to set a powerful example of what is possible when sustainability is prioritised in research and innovation. Everyone involved in this pilot project should be immensely proud of their achievements and the positive impact they have made within their institutions and beyond.”

NIBRT is looking forward to building on this achievement and continuing our commitment to improve sustainability in our research laboratories.

Marking the announcement of 72 Sustainable Laboratory Certifications awarded today to research spaces in 12 higher education institutions across Ireland were (left-right) Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD; Prof. Emmanuelle Graciet, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Maynooth University; and Dr Ciarán Seoighe, Deputy CEO, Research Ireland.