Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF)

Sustainability is a key theme of the University Strategy 2022-2027 and we are committed to ensuring our research is conducted and delivered in an environmentally sustainable way.

The signing of the UK Concordant for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice by the Principal in 2024 further supports this commitment.

Aligned to the Concordat, the Wellcome Trust has introduced changes to their research funding policy designed to promote the environmental sustainability of research, including laboratories being accredited for their sustainable practices. The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) provides this accreditation.

What is LEAF?

The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) is a sector leading initiative to help improve sustainability and efficiency in laboratories.

LEAF is a self-assessment framework developed by University College London (UCL) to help laboratories reduce their environmental impact while supporting high-quality research. Through LEAF’s structured framework, lab users can take practical actions to reduce energy consumption, manage waste more effectively and adopt sustainable practices in everyday lab operations.

Why accreditation matters

Laboratories are amongst the most resource intensive spaces in higher education and LEAF offers a structured, evidence-based approach to making meaningful improvements.

There are many benefits of participating in LEAF, including:

• recognised accreditation
• financial efficiencies
• improved lab workflows
• positive environmental progress
• strengthening connections and encouraging collaboration across Schools
• building professional skills and engaging with students
• alignment to the University's sustainability strategy

Most importantly, LEAF accreditation will be required for labs who already have funding in place or are in the process of applying for funding with Wellcome Trust or Cancer Research UK (CRUK). At present, Wellcome Trust require a minimum of bronze and CRUK require a minimum of silver accreditation.

How LEAF works

LEAF is an online tool that guides users through sustainability actions to save plastics, water and energy in their laboratories. Once the lab has submitted their application through the online form for the accreditation they are aiming to achieve, they will be contacted to arrange an audit.

The audit is carried out by a LEAF-trained auditor at the University and the audit itself should take between an hour and an hour and a half.

Laboratories are awarded bronze, silver or gold accreditation depending on how many actions they have taken.

LEAF accreditation must be renewed on an annual basis to ensure standards are maintained and it is important, therefore, that LEAF is embedded within everyday lab practices.  

A pilot scheme recently completed at St Andrews across four schools resulted in three silver and one gold accreditation. The laboratories that took part in the pilot scheme reported many of the requirements for LEAF were actions they had already been taking, so it was a relatively straight forward process.

Next steps

• Find out more about LEAF and the resources available to support accreditation.
• Visit the UCL LEAF app page to register your lab to become LEAF audited.
• Email the Sustainability team at sustainable@st-andrews.ac.uk with any queries.

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