EPFL unveils LEAF wet-lab sustainability certification in Lausanne; measurable criteria drive long-term behavioural change

EPFL unveils LEAF wet-lab sustainability certification in Lausanne; measurable criteria drive long-term behavioural change

Certifications ENG ‒ Sustainability ‐ EPFL

Environmental certifications and sustainability frameworks help laboratories structure and accelerate their transition toward more responsible research practices. They provide practical tools, measurable objectives, and collaborative approaches to reduce environmental impact while maintaining scientific excellence.

At EPFL, several initiatives support laboratories in improving sustainability practices across research activities, infrastructure, and innovation processes. Your lab could be the next to embark on one of these initiatives!

The La bora tory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) is a sustainability certification programme designed specifically for wet research laboratories. It provides practical actions and measurable criteria to improve laboratory sustainability in areas such as energy consumption, waste reduction, procurement, equipment management, and research practices.

Structured sustainability framework for laboratories

Bronze, Silver, and Gold certification levels

Focus on operational improvements and measurable impact

Supports long-term behavioural change within research teams

Focused on wet lab oratories

PERL (ENAC), Prof C. Grossiord, Silver

LCOM (SB), Prof P. Dyson, Bronze

LMSC (STI), Prof A. Fontcuberta, Silver-Gold

FMO1 (STI), Prof F. Mondada, Bronze-Silver

LBEN (STI), Prof A. Radenovic, Bronze

SV), Prof S. Lacour, Silver

Groupe Maynard, Prof A. Maynard, Silver

VDG (SV), Prof G. van der Goot, Gold

SparkHub i s a n open so urce collaborative platform that helps research organisations and teams reduce their environmental impact through practical guidance, certification, and community-led good practice . It encompasses several frameworks designed to address a broad range of laboratory typologies.

For instance, t he Gre en Digital Sustainability Certification is part of the SparkHub certification scheme and is designed to help digital and computational research groups promote s concrete changes in the way computational resources, data, software and digital infrastructure are used and managed.

Structured sustainability framework for laboratories,

Bronze, Silver, and Gold certification levels,

Focus on operational improvements and measurable impact,

Supports long-term behavioural change within research teams.

E ncompasses several frameworks designed to address a broad range of laboratory typologies

UPOates (SV ) , Prof. A. O ates, Green Digital Sustainability Certification Bronze

Groupe Paoli (SV) , Pro f. Luca s Pa oli, Green Digital Sustainability Certification Bronze

Green DiSC digital sustainability certifications are integrated directly into the SPARKHub platform.

Green DiSC follows a three-level structure:

Bronze : represents the entry level and focuses on establishing fundamental sustainable computing practices

Silver : represents a more advanced level of implementation and demonstrates a broader and deeper integration of sustainability principles into computational research,

Gold : represents the highest level of achievement and recognises more comprehensive and mature sustainable-computing practices.

BCH 4103 (Batochime Building) Av. François Alphonse Forel 3 CH-1015 Lausanne EPFL

tory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF)

is a sustainability certification programme designed specifically for

research laboratories. It provides practical actions and measurable criteria to improve laboratory sustainability in areas such as energy consumption, waste reduction, procurement, equipment management, and research practices.

VDG (SV), Prof G. van der Goot,

helps research organisations and teams reduce their environmental impact through practical guidance, certification, and community-led good practice

address a broad range of laboratory

Gre en Digital Sustainability Certification

concrete changes in the way computational resources, data,

and digital infrastructure are used and managed.

ncompasses several frameworks designed to address a broad range of laboratory typologies

represents the entry level and focuses on establishing fundamental sustainable computing practices

represents a more advanced level of implementation and demonstrates a broader and deeper integration of sustainability principles into computational research,

represents the highest level of achievement and recognises more comprehensive and mature sustainable-computing practices.