Aims
at the end of the course participants will:
* be aware of tools for measuring the environmental impact of their research activities
* have discussed concrete strategies for reducing the environmental impact of lab practices through weighting feasibility against impact
* be able to apply knowledge by developing an action plan for their own lab
Content
- Carbon footprint and tools to measure it in a research context
- Identify the main contributors to your laboratory’s environmental impact and strategies to reduce it (purchases, business travel, energy use, chemicals, waste/plastics, water)
- Guidelines & certifications for sustainable practices in wet labs (LEAF)
- Overview of resources, infrastructure, and support available at the University of Basel & local initiatives
- Map practices in participants’ labs
- Discussion of experiences with implementing these strategies and peer feedback
Methods
- Inventory analysis (survey-based, individually)
- Lecturing, active participation in analysis of your own lab
- Implementation of discussed measures
- Plenary discussion on progress and obstacles
Target Group
This course is aimed at researchers and technicians conducting researchs in wet lab environments.
About the Trainer
Dr. Anna Kounina Massé is Sustainability Manager in the School of Engineering and Life Sciences at EPFL and holds a PhD degree in water use and quality in Life Cycle Assessment (EPFL). She worked previously as a principal sustainability expert in an environmental sustainability consultancy. Expertise: Green labs, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of products and services, Science Based Targets, etc.
Mai-Phuong holds a master's degree in environmental and resource economics and has also worked in the fields of sustainable mobility and professional travel, as well as sustainability education for children. Expertise: Green labs, sustainability events.
Dr. Carina Weingaertner is Sustainability Manager at the University of Basel and leads several projects aiming at promoting sustainability in this University. She holds a PhD in Environmental Strategic Analysis (KTH, Sweden) and her work experience also includes several years in transdisciplinary research and teaching.