Tackling Climate Change is a global issue that we can all help solve through making small changes to our everyday work activities. The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine was designed and built to create the lowest possible carbon footprint.  It uses photovotaic cells for energy production, has CPH (Combined Heat and Power) which integrates the production of usable heat and electricity in a highly efficient process, is packed with energy efficient lighting and equipment and even harvests rain water.  Its BREEAM-rating (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) is a best practice badge of proven sustainable building design.

For some inspiration on why we need to reduce a carbon footprint, have a look at the University's Carbon Management page.‌

Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) 

LEAF is a sustainable lab certification programme that was launched at Queen's University in September 2021 as a means of exploring methods to help labs across campus become more aware of their sustainability.

LEAF covers a wide range of sustainability topics, including energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and sustainable procurement. It provides laboratories with a clear framework for identifying and implementing sustainability actions.

At an awards ceremony in June, WWIEM was awarded a bronze award across all laboratories. We are the only Centre in the University to achieve this. WWIEM is committed to developing sustainable practices across all our laboratories- over the next 12-24 months we will be exploring how to achieve our silver award.

A new award, Queen's LEAF Sustainability Champion, was created to recognise exemplary actions undertaken by an individual to support the delivery of the LEAF Programme and implement sustainability practices within labs. This year it was awarded to Jim Sloan, one of our technicians, who was instrumental in ensuring all labs within WWIEM achieved LEAF accreditation.

Further information on the awards ceremony can be found here: https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/News/queens-celebrates-LEAF-awards-2023.html

Technician Carmel McVicar, Technician Jim Sloan, Professor Alan Stitt, Technician David McNicholl and Technician Karolina Wojitania-O'Farrell receiving WWIEM's bronze award