Sustainability Initiatives at the Department of Biology (BIO)

The Department of Biology (BIO) is committed to fostering a sustainable future through innovative research. However, we acknowledge that our activities contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions due to energy consumption, travel, procurement, and waste generation. As an institution, we are dedicated to reducing these emissions and lowering our climate footprint within our laboratories and administrative spaces. Aligned with the university’s sustainability targets, BIO is resolved to reduce its climate impact by 50% by the year 2030— as proposed by our staff during a Department Retreat workshop in 2021.

Strategies for Realizing Our Sustainability Goals

BIO is actively engaged in optimizing processes and exploring alternatives to reduce our environmental impact. Fostering these values, the department joined the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) in 2022. LEAF is a globally recognized standard that aims to minimize the environmental effects of laboratories. Currently, we are working towards achieving LEAF certifications for all our laboratories by the end of 2024.

Furthermore, in the summer of 2024, the department introduced a future-orientated travel policy, setting a new benchmark for ambition within the University of Copenhagen. This policy is designed to decrease CO2e emissions associated with travel while ensuring that our researchers maintain the capacity to form international collaborations and remain competitive in the global view.

Moreover, the department strives to teach its students about sustainable work practices in the laboratory. To this end, it was initiated to offer Biochemistry students an annual two-hour workshop focused on sustainable practices in laboratory settings.

Inclusion of Ideas and Suggestions

At BIO, we understand that shifting our culture is key to becoming a greener, more responsible institution. Therefore, we value the input from all our staff and students. Constructive ideas and suggestions are important, and the Department encourages everyone working at BIO to share their thoughts for a more environmentally friendly working place.