Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework
The PAM group won one of the university’s first LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework) awards. LEAF is a new tool developed by researchers at University College London to help improve the carbon footprint of lab-based research.
The PAM Group has participated in the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) since 2021. LEAF is a nationally recognised sustainability programme designed to improve the environmental performance of research laboratories through practical actions relating to energy use, waste management, procurement, equipment management, resource efficiency, and laboratory culture.
Our LEAF journey has progressed through all award levels:
- Bronze Award (2021)
- Silver Award (2023)
- Gold Award (2024)
- Gold Reaccreditation (2026)
LEAF has provided a structured framework for continuous improvement and has helped embed sustainability into routine laboratory activities and decision-making processes. The group maintains a dedicated sustainability team, currently led by the Sustainability Officer (Dr Takashi Lawson), who coordinates annual submissions and drives ongoing improvements.
LabSense
In 2024, the group secured funding through the Cambridge Zero’s Living Labs programme to develop LabSense, a research-led initiative designed to provide real-time monitoring and feedback on laboratory resource consumption.
LabSense combines sensors, dashboards, automation, and data analytics to help researchers understand how laboratory activities affect resource consumption and environmental impact.
The platform currently monitors aspects of the PAM group’s laboratory operation including:
- Electricity consumption.
- Water consumption.
- Fumehood usage, sash position and lighting
- Chemical inventories.
- Solvent usage and waste generation.
The resulting data are visualised through a central dashboard that allows the group to:
- Identify opportunities for energy savings.
- Monitor resource usage trends.
- Improve equipment management.
- Reduce unnecessary waste generation.
- Support evidence-based decision making.
The project has already contributed to measurable reductions in energy use, informed laboratory management decisions, and provided opportunities for student research projects in sustainable laboratory operation. The group is currently disseminating lessons learned through publications, presentations, and open-source resources.
More details are available at the links below.
- Group Dashboard: https://cambridge-pam.github.io/labsense-dashboard/
- GitHub: https://github.com/Cambridge-PAM/labsense
- Documentation: https://labsense.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
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