Two Limerick research labs have been awarded sustainable laboratory certifications as part of a national pilot led by Research Ireland—making Ireland the first country to launch such a programme. This marks a major step toward greener scientific practices and highlights Ireland’s leadership in sustainable research and innovation on the global stage.
Two research laboratories in Limerick are among 12 institutions across Ireland to receive sustainable laboratory certifications under a pioneering national initiative led by Research Ireland.
The announcement, made by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, highlights the growing commitment of the Irish research community to sustainable practices in scientific work.
While laboratories are central to scientific discovery, they are also notoriously resource-intensive, often consuming 3–10 times more energy per square foot than a typical office building. They generate substantial plastic waste, consume large volumes of water, and rely on specialised chemicals and equipment with high environmental footprints.
By pursuing certification through frameworks like My Green Lab’s standards, Irish labs are not only improving operational efficiency but also contributing to a broader transformation of the research sector—one that aims to decouple innovation from environmental degradation.
As climate change intensifies, sustainability in research is no longer optional—it’s an ethical imperative. Scientific research underpins climate solutions, but without sustainable practices, the sector can undermine its own mission.
Adopting sustainable lab practices helps to:
Reduce carbon emissions
Minimise hazardous waste
Lower energy consumption
Improve safety and cost-efficiency
Programmes like the one launched by Research Ireland align environmental responsibility with scientific advancement, showing that sustainability and innovation are not mutually exclusive.
Among the 72 certified laboratories, those led by Declan Devine at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), and Sarah Guerin and Vivek Ranade at the University of Limerick (UL), have been acknowledged for their leadership in sustainable research.
‘Research involves more than exploration and discovery; it also demands attention to how we conduct our work and the impact it has on our communities and our planet,’ said Minister Lawless. ‘Research carries with it a responsibility to operate with integrity, to use resources wisely, and to ensure our pursuit of knowledge does not come at an unsustainable cost to the world around us.’
Launched in October 2023, the Sustainable Laboratory Certification Pilot Programme was created by Research Ireland in collaboration with My Green Lab and Impact Laboratories. The initiative aimed to introduce best-in-class sustainable practices across Irish laboratories. It marked a global first—Ireland became the first national research funding body in the world to spearhead such a certification effort.
The programme invited Research Ireland-funded researchers to participate, generating significant nationwide interest.
James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab and Impact Laboratories, praised the initiative: ‘At My Green Lab, our mission is to foster a global culture of sustainability within the scientific community, transforming our industry into a world leader in environmental stewardship. This report reaffirms what we have long known: Irish academia continues to set a powerful example of what is possible when sustainability is prioritised in research and innovation.’
At the end of 2024, an independent evaluation of the pilot was commissioned to assess its outcomes and guide future efforts. The review endorsed the pilot’s success and offered recommendations for scaling up.
Dr. Ciarán Seoighe, Deputy CEO of Research Ireland, added: ‘Research Ireland wishes to congratulate and thank all those involved in the pilot. Not only have participants changed their research practices for the better, but, in turn, they have helped to shape Research Ireland’s approach going forward. The independent evaluation endorsed the pilot and has set out clear recommendations for next steps.’
Beyond certifying existing labs, initiatives like this have the power to shape the culture of scientific research for years to come.
Universities play a crucial role in instilling sustainability values in early-career researchers. Certified labs become living classrooms for:
Training students in green lab techniques
Introducing sustainability into scientific curricula
Encouraging critical thinking about the environmental impact of research
Embedding sustainability into the scientific mindset prepares future researchers to innovate responsibly.
Established on August 1, 2024, Research Ireland is Ireland’s new national competitive research and innovation funding agency. It brings together the responsibilities of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council (IRC) to strengthen the national research ecosystem.
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