’My Green Lab’: Certification Programme for Scientific Laboratories

15 laboratories at Heidelberg University to undergo an evaluation process towards more sustainability in research activities from March. Configuring research operations more sustainably: this is the goal of the international certification programme My Green Lab, in which 15 laboratories at Heidelberg University are participating. The eight-to-ten month evaluation process there aims to reduce energy, resource and water consumption on a sustainable and long-term basis. Initiated by the Vice Rectorate for Quality Development and Sustainability, the certification programme starts in early March 2024 and will be supported by the project office for climate protection and sustainability in the Division of Planning, Construction and Safety. "Research calls for talent, innovations and ideas but also requires a large quantity of energy and other resources that necessitate a responsible handling of consumption. So science has to take action to reduce its carbon footprint," says Karin Schumacher, Vice-Rector for Quality Development and Sustainability at Heidelberg University. Ruperto Carola consequently wants to support its laboratories and working groups in operating in a more climate-friendly way by covering the costs of certification for a total of 25 laboratories and working groups in the pilot phase.