GreenLabs Portugal network aims to boost sustainability in laboratories
The initiative, designed to reduce the ecological footprint through sustainable practices in labs, will hold a symposium at the University of Coimbra on the 22nd of September.
English version: Diana Taborda
A Green Lab is "any initiative or group that uses sustainable practices in its everyday life in order to reduce its environmental impact, while always maintaining the quality of excellence in its research," explains Susana Alarico, one of the organisers of GreenLabsCIBB. The researcher explains that the consortium of the Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), made up of the Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of the University of Coimbra (CNC-UC) and the Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) came to life in March 2022, with its official launch on the 6th of June 2022.
The team, which brings together several members of the research groups from the consortium's laboratories, has taken existing sustainability initiatives and "improved and implemented others". "Recycling is important, but reducing and reusing materials" is fundamental, points out Susana Alarico. The researcher says that they are "motivating and bringing together researchers, technicians and the entire CIBB community, so that everyone is involved in the initiative".
CIBB has been following a Green Lab approach since 2022, and GreenLabsCIBB is part of the GreenLabs Portugal network of research laboratories, which currently has nine Portuguese laboratories. The Portuguese network is one of the members of SELs - Sustainable European Laboratories Networks.
The network's first national symposium will be held on the 22nd of September at the University of Coimbra (UC). The goal is to "discuss how to mitigate the environmental impact of scientific research without jeopardising the vital role of science and innovation in the progress of our society". In addition to the participation of the various Portuguese Green Labs, the programme includes the planting of a tree in the UC Botanical Garden.
More information about the symposium, which takes place at the UC Student Hub, can be found on the event page, which is supported by the UC Rectorate and the Office for Sustainable Development (GDS.UC).