UWA has launched the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) program, becoming the first institution in Western Australia to adopt this internationally recognised green lab certification program. With laboratories consuming up to ten times more energy and four times more water than office spaces, LEAF provides practical tools to reduce waste, optimise resource use, and enhance research sustainability.

Developed by University College London (UCL) in 2018, LEAF is a sustainability framework that helps laboratories:

• Reduce energy and water consumption.
• Minimise plastic and chemical waste.
• Improve research quality and lab efficiency.
• Lower operational costs.

Since its launch, over 95 institutions across 15 countries have adopted LEAF, saving thousands in operational costs and significantly reducing environmental impact.

By implementing LEAF, UWA aims to:

• Reduce environmental impact – Align lab operations with UWA’s sustainability goals.
• Improve research efficiency – LEAF promotes better lab management, ensuring labs operate more effectively and cost-efficiently.
• Enhance funding opportunities – Some funding bodies now prioritise sustainability in research, making LEAF certification a recommendation or a pre-requisite for funding applications.

LEAF follows a simple four-step process:

• Register – Labs sign up on the LEAF platform and complete a sustainability self-assessment.
• Assess and implement – Labs receive custom recommendations and use practical guides to reduce waste, optimise energy use, and improve practices.
• Track progress – Labs can measure their impact using LEAF’s online sustainability calculator.
• Certify and recognise – Successful labs earn bronze, silver, or gold certification, showcasing their commitment to sustainability.

• Lower energy & water use – Reduce operational costs by optimising lab equipment efficiency.
• Less plastic and chemical waste – Minimise single-use plastics and manage chemicals responsibly.
• More efficient lab practices – Improve equipment maintenance, procurement, and waste management.
• Recognition through certification – Receive an official LEAF accreditation for sustainable lab operations.
• Qualify for research funding – Several research funding bodies require a sustainability certification to qualify for their funding.

There are grants up to $1000 available to Health and Medical research labs to help meet LEAF’s criteria. For more information, click here.