Strategies for lowering a lab’s carbon footprint: Editorial

In a recent editorial, Caroline Giuglaris discusses how researchers can lower a lab’s carbon footprint. Giuglaris discusses her own experience implementing an internal sustainability initiative within a lab, which effectively lowered its carbon footprint and put it on the trajectory to meet sustainability targets. The author recommends starting with an assessment of the lab’s carbon footprint in order to identify and address the elements that are having the greatest impact on the lab’s carbon footprint. After this assessment is complete, Giuglaris recommends tackling first steps using preexisting resources, setting a future sustainability target for the lab, and clearly communicating goals and progress with department members. “Don’t be too hard on yourself if the world is not ready for your green ambitions,” writes Giuglaris.