Minister Lawless announces 72 Sustainable Laboratory Certifications

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has announced 72 sustainable laboratory certifications to research spaces in 12 higher education institutions across Ireland, under a Research Ireland-led programme. 

13 UCD labs have been awarded certifications for implementing best-in-class, sustainable research practices. This success reflects the aims of the UCD Sustainability Plan to 2030 and the broader Breaking Boundaries Strategy to 2030 in realising UCD as a ‘living lab’, where sustainability is practised, taught and researched in real time by students, staff and the wider community. 

Making the announcement, Minister Lawless 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.”

In partnership with Impact Laboratories and My Green Lab, Research Ireland’s Sustainable Laboratory Certification Pilot Programme was launched with the aim of bringing world-class sustainable research practices into Irish research labs. Research Ireland became the first national research funding body in the world to spearhead a certification process in lab sustainability, and Research Ireland-funded researchers were invited to participate. An independent evaluation of the Pilot Programme was carried out with positive results.

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.”

Sustainable Laboratory Certifications announced for UCD:

• Assoc Prof Eoghan McGarrigle, UCD School of Chemistry - A3.01 Science South Lab
• Prof Eoin Casey, UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering - Biofilm Engineering Laboratory
• Assoc Prof Rory Johnson, UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science -GOLD Lab
• Prof Brian Rodriguez, UCD School of Physics - Nanoscale Function Group
• Assoc Prof Vikram Pakrashi, ​​ UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering - UCD Centre for Mechanics, Dynamical Systems and Risk Laboratory
• Prof Fengzhou Fang, UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering - (opens in a new window)MNMT-Dublin Lab 014
• Prof Fengzhou Fang, UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering - (opens in a new window)MNMT Dublin Lab 014 and 016
• Prof Anding Zhu, UCD School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering - RF & Microwave Research Lab
• Dr Thomas Hooper, Dr Andrew Phillips, Dr Joseph Byrne, UCD School of Chemistry - UCD School of Chemistry (A2.01) Lab
• Prof Aoife Gowen, UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering - Spectral Imaging Research Group
• Prof David Brayden, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine - Laboratory N° 203, Veterinary Biosciences Section, School of Veterinary Medicine
• Dr Peter Byrne, UCD School of Chemistry - CSCB Lab L2.12
• Assoc Prof Marcus Baumann, UCD School of Chemistry - Baumann Research Group

UCD is a member of Irish Green Labs, and sustainability in wet labs is a major focus for the UCD Sustainable Research Initiative (SRI) community of practice, with staff members across the university participating in the My Green Lab certification process.

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.”

The full list of Research Ireland Sustainable Laboratory Certifications on the (opens in a new window)Research Ireland website.