Supporting Climate Sustainability at Mass General Brigham

DESCRIPTION OF THE AWARD

Research is one of the most energy and waste-intensive parts of the healthcare enterprise, with labs using up to 10 times more energy than typical office space, and producing large amounts of plastic, chemical, and biohazard waste. As part of its effort to meet the Healthcare Sustainability Pledge, Mass General Brigham (MGB) will provide funding for 20 research labs across the system to enroll in the “My Green Lab Certification" program in laboratory sustainability.

Funding for participating labs will pay for the cost of enrolling in the My Green Lab certification process. In addition, MGB will gather additional research data via short questionnaires and lab-specific energy and waste monitoring. The questionnaire will assess how participation in the program affects environmental attitudes and workplace satisfaction. Energy and waste monitoring will help MGB measure the overall direct impact of the program and calculate potential savings.

 

Benefits of a certification include:

·       Ensuring a healthy, safe, and responsible work environment

·       Improving efficiency, saving resources and reducing consumption

·       Aligning your labs with Mass General sustainability goals

·       Attracting and retaining top research talent

·       Obtaining possible discounts on equipment

 

BACKGROUND

My Green Lab is a non-profit organization and is the largest lab sustainability service in the world.  It has developed a systematic and customized approach to guide researchers through the process of improving their environmental impact while also often making their operations more efficient and cost-effective.  Recognized by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as a key measure of progress towards a zero-carbon future, My Green Lab certification is considered the gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices around the world. They have supported over 2000 labs in a wide range of sectors, including academic medical research centers, by providing scientists and their research teams with actionable ways to make meaningful change.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We will consider many factors in selecting the 20 research labs including representation across the system, type of research, location & size of lab and likelihood of success based on commitment from the lab.

 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS and ELIGIBILITY

We are looking for 20 research labs across MGB interested in receiving My Green Lab Certification.

Applicants must have a primary full-time faculty appointment and their own research lab at a Mass General Brigham institution.   

The application process requires the following items to be submitted:

1. Name of Applicant, Department, Institution     

2. Applicant's Institution

3. Lead contact who will oversee the project. Please provide the first and last name, email, and the lead contact’s role in your lab

4. Location of your lab (Institution, Building, Floor, Room, Size of lab)

5. Select the type of research conducted in the lab.

6. Briefly describe why you are interested in receiving certification from My Green Lab. (1- 2 paragraphs)

7. Indicate whether you have buy in from the members of your research lab. Please describe (500 words max)