UNSW labs earn international sustainability accreditation

Students and staff celebrated their achievements at the annual LEAF Awards.

The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) is an internationally recognised accreditation program that builds a culture of sustainability in laboratories through engagement and behavioural change. By using an online assessment tool, lab staff and students identify and implement actions to save plastics, water, energy and other resources. 

To celebrate their achievements, UNSW Environmental Sustainability hosted the LEAF Awards ceremony on Friday 29 November. As of this year, 58 UNSW labs have received LEAF accreditations including 34 bronze awards, 18 silver awards and for the first time, six gold awards. 

Professor Merlin Crossley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Quality, congratulated the teams on their achievements. 

“Our LEAF accreditations demonstrate UNSW’s leadership in sustainability across the sector. Each of us has the power to amplify our real-world impact by sharing our achievements, inspiring colleagues and encouraging other labs to join. Together, we can help shape a more sustainable future,” he said. 

Laboratories account for an estimated 2% of global plastic waste and use up to 10 times more energy per square metre than typical office spaces. The LEAF program aims to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impacts of labs, while supporting research quality. 

Will Syddall, Head of Environmental Sustainability at UNSW, commended the program’s growth.

“LEAF has expanded significantly over four years, and nearly 80 teams are now reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water use and single-use plastics and building a culture of sustainable lab practices through LEAF.

“LEAF-registered teams now manage more than 40% of UNSW lab space. We welcome other lab teams across UNSW faculties to become part of the LEAF community in 2025,” he said. 

UNSW was the first institute in Australasia to achieve LEAF accreditation through its 2021 pilot program. Since then, the number of participating lab teams has grown from five to 78, spanning UNSW Engineering, Medicine & Health, Science and partner institutes like Children’s Cancer Institute, the RNA Institute, and the Australian National Fabrication Facility.  

The UNSW LEAF program is a key initiative in the Environmental Sustainability Plan. 

Want to get involved?

Visit LEAF at UNSW or register. You can also contact LEAFlabs@unsw.edu.au to find out how your lab can improve sustainability and efficiency.