Carbon – My Green Lab – Education

PSCI Endorses Converge Supplier Initiative to Cut Scope 3 Emissions in Pharma

mygreenlab — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 18:24:00 +0000

My Green Lab is proud to announce that our Converge Supplier Initiative has been endorsed by the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI). This endorsement from PSCI—the leading membership association for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies united to deliver responsible value chains—underscores growing momentum across the pharmaceutical industry to reduce supply chain (Scope 3) emissions and foster more sustainable lab operations.

The Converge Supplier Initiative is a unique industry collaboration designed to support pharmaceutical suppliers—including Contract Research Organizations (CROs), Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), and Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs)—in achieving My Green Lab® Certification. This certification framework enables suppliers to reduce environmental impact, cut energy and water use, lower costs, and align lab operations with corporate sustainability goals.

Leading pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, MilliporeSigma, Takeda, and UCB, have not only walked the talk by implementing My Green Lab Certification in their own labs to drive down emissions, but also have joined forces to educate and empower their outsourced research partners through the Converge Supplier Initiative. To date, over 147 supplier organizations have joined the initiative, with 32 already completing pilot certifications.

“The research supply chain represents a significant portion of the pharmaceutical industry’s environmental footprint,” said James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab. “This endorsement by PSCI reinforces the power of collaborative action and positions the Converge Supplier Initiative as a proven, scalable solution for driving impact reduction on the ground in the labs across the industry.”

PSCI unites pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to advance responsible supply chain practices and drive improved safety, environmental, and social outcomes across the global value chain. Together, PSCI and My Green Lab are aligned in their vision for a more sustainable and collaborative future in science.

“Bristol Myers Squibb is excited to see two important relationships come together with PSCI and Converge. With Converge providing a hands-on, practical approach for suppliers with lab operations to address their footprint through My Green Lab Certification, it dovetails well with PSCI’s drive to see the adoption of sustainable practices in pharmaceutical supply chains. This partnership can accelerate the critical need for pharmaceutical supply chains to reduce their footprint while continuing their missions of delivering for patients,” said Devin Carsdale, Associate Director of Sustainability at Bristol Myers Squibb and PSCI Decarbonization Team Co-Lead.

“We proudly operate 17 labs globally, all of which have achieved My Green Lab Certification,” said Bill Sterling, Senior Director of Global Environmental Health and Safety, IQVIA Laboratories. “The My Green Lab program has been instrumental in fostering a culture of sustainability and engaging employees at all sites. It helps support our mission to accelerate innovation for a healthier world and features prominently in our annual sustainability report.”

PSCI’s endorsement also supports the broader United Nations-backed Race to Zero campaign, which calls for 95% of participating organizations’ laboratories globally to achieve My Green Lab Certification at the highest ‘Green’ Level by 2030, a critical milestone in the path of net-zero emissions in science.

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Five uplifting sustainability news stories this Earth Day

mygreenlab — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 09:33:00 +0000

Earth Day is a time to come together in celebration of our planet and to remind ourselves that progress is possible. Amid the many environmental challenges we face, there are also incredible stories of innovation, resilience, and meaningful change happening all around the world.

To mark this Earth Day, we’re sharing five positive sustainability news stories that show what’s going right. From clean energy milestones to public transportation wins, these stories offer a healthy dose of hope and inspiration for anyone working toward a greener future.

1. California shows clean energy can power the grid and cut fossil fuels by 40%

A recent study led by Stanford University’s Dr. Mark Jacobson and published in the journal Renewable Energy found that California met 100% of its electricity demand with renewables for up to 10 hours daily over 98 days in 2024. Compared to the same period in 2023, fossil fuel use fell by an estimated 40%, driven by increases in solar and wind power and a 105% jump in battery output. Even with more electric vehicles and appliances, statewide energy demand dropped by 1%, thanks to more homes and businesses adopting solar-plus-storage systems.

2. The Ocean Cleanup intercepts 120 truckloads of trash before reaching the Gulf of Honduras

The Ocean Cleanup, an organization that develops and scales technologies to rid the oceans of plastics, reported that on February 17th, 2025 their Interceptor 006 installed at the Las Vacas River in Guatemala removed 120 truckloads of trash before it could reach the Gulf of Honduras. Rain came into the city the evening before, bringing with it a massive trash flood. Two excavators and seven trucks helped clean the site before the trash could make its way to the ocean.

In 2024, efforts by The Ocean Cleanup amounted to the removal of 11.5 million kilos of trash from oceans and rivers, surpassing the amount of trash removed in all previous years of their work combined.

3. Vertical farming is revitalizing empty commercial real estate

With more office spaces sitting vacant due to remote and hybrid work trends, a new use is taking root: vertical farming. In Virginia, the Plenty Richmond Farm is set to produce over 4 million pounds of strawberries each year using vertical towers, AI-driven plant monitoring, and climate-controlled systems. Meanwhile, in Canada, part of Calgary Tower has been transformed into a 65,000-square-foot indoor farm growing crops like kale, cucumbers, and strawberries.

Vertical farming offers key advantages for the environment. Crops can be grown year-round, fresh food is produced closer to where people live, and the method uses significantly less water (up to 90% less than traditional agriculture). Because crops are grown in controlled environments, the need for pesticides is greatly reduced. These innovative farms not only cut food miles and water use, but also breathe new life into underused real estate, proving that even the heart of the city can grow something green.

4. France passes bill to ban PFAS in consumer products by 2026

France has become the second EU country behind Denmark to take independent action against Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), passing a bill to ban the manufacture, import, and sale of the toxic “forever chemicals” in cosmetics, clothing, footwear, and ski wax starting in 2026. The bill also introduces PFAS monitoring in drinking water and imposes a new €100 fee per 100 g of PFAS released into the environment. While the bill is not comprehensive, kitchenware was excluded due to industry pushback, it is a positive step forward.

PFAS are known to persist in the environment for decades, accumulate in living organisms, and have been linked to a range of health risks including cancer and hormone disruption. France’s move signals growing momentum in Europe to phase out these hazardous substances before broader EU regulations take effect. Final procedural steps need to take place before President Macron can sign the bill into law.

5. Good news for global public transportation

Alaina Wood, Sustainability Scientist and Climate Activist who reports under the Instagram handle @itsthegarbagequeen, shared some good news on global public transportation efforts in a recent video:

Morocco ordered 200 new electric trains to modernize and expand their high-speed and intercity rail network.
Canada is set to invest billions in public transit improvements.
By 2030, Thailand is on track to get their first high speed rail line that will run through Laos and China.

If you're feeling inspired this Earth Day, consider donating to My Green Lab.

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A Year of Progress: My Green Lab’s Key Achievements in 2024

mygreenlab — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 23:08:00 +0000

In 2024, My Green Lab^® and the global green lab community achieved extraordinary milestones, further embedding sustainability into the fabric of scientific research. From the launch of third-party certification organization Impact Laboratories and My Green Lab^® Certification 2.0 to record-breaking participation in the Freezer Challenge and the expansion of our Accelerator Partner Program, the past year showcased the growing momentum of our mission to build a global culture of sustainability in science.

As we look back on these milestones, the strength of our community continues to shine as the driving force behind the movement. From engaged scientists and lab professionals to visionary collaborators, sponsors, and partners, the shared commitment to sustainability in science is creating transformative change on a global scale.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported and championed these efforts throughout the last year. Your dedication has shaped an impactful 2024 and set the stage for an even brighter future.

Below are the top ten highlights and milestones that defined My Green Lab’s journey in 2024.

1. Launch of Impact Laboratories

In 2024, My Green Lab introduced Impact Laboratories, a subsidiary dedicated to providing independent, third-party verification for My Green Lab Certification. Third-party verification enhances the integrity and rigor of our certification process, aligning with international best practices and supporting the global expansion of sustainable lab practices.

2. EPA Recommendation of My Green Lab Certification and ACT Ecolabel Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated its Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels to include My Green Lab Certification and the ACT Ecolabel Program as the only approved standards for labs and lab products. This mark of distinction from EPA highlights our programs’ alignment with international sustainability goals and their role in promoting environmentally preferable best practices and purchasing within the scientific community.

3. Release of the 2024 Carbon Impact of Biotech and Pharma Report

During COP 29 in November, we released the Carbon Impact of Biotech and Pharma report. This report highlights progress while calling for deeper systemic changes as the industry approaches a pivotal moment in its sustainability journey. It offers a comprehensive overview of the biotech and pharma industry’s carbon footprint and its alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement.

4. Launch of My Green Lab Certification 2.0 and Program Milestones

In late 2024, we unveiled My Green Lab Certification 2.0, featuring advanced tools and resources to support labs on their sustainability journey, with AstraZeneca becoming the first company to implement the enhanced program. Updates to the program include third-party verification, streamlined engagement surveys, and an integrated impact estimator.

My Green Lab Certification also hit new milestones in 2024, with over 3,750 labs involved in the program, engaging more than 41,000 scientists across 50 countries around the world.

5. Biogen Achieves 100% My Green Lab Certification

In 2024, we were proud to highlight Biogen who became the first large biotech company to achieve 100% My Green Lab Certification for all its labs. This milestone helps set a new standard for sustainability in the industry and demonstrates a comprehensive commitment to environmental responsibility in the lab.

6. New Board Members: Dr. Fiona Adshead and Malcolm Bell

Last year, we welcomed Dr. Fiona Adshead, Chair of the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition, and Malcolm Bell, Founder and CEO of Envetec Sustainable Technologies, to the My Green Lab Board of Directors. Their extensive experience in sustainability and healthcare innovation strengthens our leadership and strategic direction.

7. The Freezer Challenge’s Record-Breaking Year

The 2024 International Laboratory Freezer Challenge achieved record-breaking results, with participants saving 31.8 million kWh of energy by promoting sustainable cold storage best practices in their labs. This accomplishment equates to avoiding 22,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, marking a significant advancement in laboratory energy efficiency. The 2025 Freezer Challenge is currently underway, be sure to sign your lab up here.

8. Growth of the Accredited Professional (AP) Course

Our AP course has grown to include 240 individuals who are equipped with the knowledge and credentials to lead sustainability initiatives within their laboratories. This program, the first credential of its kind, offers six online modules to help expand sustainability knowledge including waste, Green Chemistry, engagement, procurement, energy, and water. Check it out here.

9. Launch of Accelerator Partner Program

We were proud to introduce the Accelerator Partner Program which recognizes and supports sustainability consulting services and organizations within the health sector that are trained to be experts in My Green Lab Certification. This initiative provides participating organizations with essential resources and recognition to advance sustainability efforts in laboratories.

10. My Green Lab and Impact Laboratories Team’s Continued Growth

Last but certainly not least, a huge thank you the incredible team at My Green Lab and Impact Laboratories for their unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable science. None of the milestones highlighted above would have been possible without their dedication and passion for building a better future.

We are also thrilled to share that our team’s growth in 2024 included two very special additions! Congratulations to Vice President of Strategic Growth, Stephanie Millar, and Marketing Intern, Taeler Nickerson, and their families who both welcomed little ones into the world last year.

EPA Recommends My Green Lab Certification and ACT Ecolabel, Setting the Standard for Sustainable Science

mygreenlab — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 18:20:00 +0000

This recommendation reinforces the integrity and transparency of My Green Lab’s standard development process, and the high-quality and rigor of our certification and ecolabel programs.

We are thrilled to announce the recommendation of both My Green Lab Certification and the ACT Ecolabel Program into the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program! This mark of distinction from EPA highlights the credibility of our programs and their alignment with international best practices.

EPA’s Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels help federal purchasers identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services. Federal purchasers are directed in Executive Order 14057 on Catalyzing American Clean Energy Industries and Jobs through Federal Sustainability, the Federal Sustainability Plan, and subpart 23.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to procure products and services meeting the Recommendations to meet net-zero emissions and other procurement goals. Alignment with federal sustainability goals demonstrates that My Green Lab Certification and the ACT Ecolabel Program meet the highest international standards, driving meaningful progress toward reducing the environmental impact of scientific research.

“EPA’s recommendation is a powerful validation of our work at My Green Lab,” said James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab. “This distinction affirms the integrity of our programs and their critical role in reducing the environmental impact of laboratories and laboratory products. With EPA’s support, we are one step closer to making green labs the global standard.”

Driving Global Momentum of Green Labs

This independent review by one of the world’s most recognized environmental authorities affirms that both My Green Lab’s standard development process and criteria adhere to best practices for environmental certifications.

My Green Lab Certification is considered the gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices around the world. Supported by third-party verification from Impact Laboratories, My Green Lab Certification has engaged 3,450 labs in 50 countries reaching over 41,000 scientists.

The ACT Ecolabel provides transparent, third-party verified data about the environmental impact of laboratory products. By offering clear information on product sustainability, the ACT Ecolabel empowers procurement teams and scientists to make informed, sustainable choices. The ACT Ecolabel database includes 3,400 labels from 40 manufacturers.

This recommendation from EPA not only reinforces the value of our programs but also reflects the growing global momentum toward sustainable practices in scientific research. As the demand for environmental best practices in laboratories continues to rise, My Green Lab is committed to driving sustainability worldwide.

Learn more about My Green Lab Certification

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Learn more about the ACT Ecolabel and view the database

ACT ecolabel

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The Carbon Impact of Biotech and Pharma: Crossing the Tipping Point of Industry Transformation

mygreenlab — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 21:31:00 +0000

My Green Lab’s 2024 report reveals growing climate commitments from the biotech and pharma sectors while underscoring the urgency of accelerating Scope 3 emissions reductions.

Download the 2024 Report

The biotech and pharma industry plays a pivotal role in advancing global health, but as a significant contributor to climate change, its environmental footprint cannot be ignored. My Green Lab’s 2024 Carbon Impact of Biotech & Pharma Report highlights progress while calling for deeper systemic changes as the industry approaches a pivotal moment in its sustainability journey. As climate goals become more urgent, biotech and pharma companies are uniquely positioned to drive by decarbonizing their supply chains and aligning with global climate targets.

The report, produced by My Green Lab with contribution from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), indicates that the industry has reached a tipping point — with over 25% of companies setting medium-term Scope 1 and 2 targets aligned with a 1.5°C pathway. Released during COP 29 in November 2024, the study highlights notable successes, including more companies than ever before adopting the UN Race to Zero. Additionally, a majority of companies in the campaign have made progress on the Breakthrough Outcome by adopting My Green Lab Certification, with nearly three-quarters of those programs operating on a global scale.

Despite significant progress, the report finds that long-term progress hinges on targets expanding to include Scope 3, the indirect emissions from upstream and downstream a company’s value chain. Expanding these targets to include the hard to measure and reduce Scope 3 emissions are essential to ensure alignment across the industry and supply chain to a 1.5°C trajectory

This year’s report builds on previous reports starting in 2021 which were the first to assess the entire biotech and pharma value chain by quantifying Scope 3 emissions. This year’s report, which leverages data from 638 publicly listed companies and 290 privately held companies, tracks emissions since 2015, offering the comprehensive overview of the industry’s carbon footprint and its alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Key Findings and Industry Progress

Emissions Challenges and Commitments

The 2024 report highlights both significant progress and challenges in emissions reduction across the biotech and pharma sectors. Among the 149 biotech and pharma companies with high-quality emissions data, 31% have set medium-term Scope 1 and 2 targets (2026–2035) that are aligned with a 1.5°C pathway. However, to fully meet climate goals, it is critical for companies to expand these targets to include Scope 3 emissions, which cover indirect emissions throughout the value chain.

The report also reveals a concerning emissions footprint across the industry. Total emissions from public companies amounted to 259 million tCO₂e, while private companies accounted for 138 million tCO₂e, bringing the total to 397 million tCO₂e in 2023. Scope 3 emissions, which encompass indirect emissions from purchased goods and services, are a major challenge. These emissions are significantly higher than Scope 1 and 2, being 5.4 times greater for public companies and 6.5 times greater for private companies.

Industry Progress and Initiatives

The growing commitment to the UN Race to Zero Campaign is a positive indication of progress. The study found that leading companies are accelerating their sustainability commitments, with 36 companies—representing 56% of the sector’s revenue—joining the UN’s Race to Zero campaign, up from 28 companies (46% by revenue) in the previous year. The campaign’s Breakthrough Outcome target is also within reach, with 61% beginning My Green Lab Certification programs, 73% of which are operating at a global scale.

Sector Progress to Race to Zero and Breakthrough Outcome

As the report highlights, Scope 3 emissions make up 79% of indirect emissions, underscoring the critical role of supply chain innovation in achieving climate goals. In response, the industry has launched a suite of collective supply chain initiatives aimed at addressing Scope 3 emissions, which have shown significant progress over the past year. Programs such as Converge, Activate, and Energize are driving decarbonization by engaging suppliers to adopt renewable energy, improve operational efficiency, and pursue sustainable lab practices.

Target Setting My Green Lab Supplier Initiative Converge

Why Download the 2024 Report?

The 2024 report offers a strategic guide for biotech and pharma companies to align with a 1.5°C future. It highlights key challenges, celebrates progress, and outlines actionable solutions for reducing emissions across the value chain. Whether you’re a scientist, lab manager, policymaker, or executive, this report provides essential insights to drive sustainable science.

Download the full 2024 carbon impact of biotech & pharma report today

Groundbreaking Results: 2024 Freezer Challenge Reduces Energy Use by 31.8 Million kWh

mygreenlab — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 18:37:00 +0000

The 2024 International Laboratory Freezer Challenge program has set a new benchmark in sustainability, with a record-breaking 31.8 million kWh of energy savings through the combined efforts of program participants! This translates to 22,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent avoided—an over 50% increase from last year’s challenge!

My Green Lab and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) are proud to announce that in addition to these groundbreaking results, the 2024 challenge saw unprecedented participation from 3,026 labs in 35 countries. The collective efforts of participating labs translate to the energy savings equivalent of 5,296 gas-powered cars driven for one year.

The Freezer Challenge is a free competition designed to promote energy efficiency through best practices in lab cold storage management. Since its inception in 2017, the program has saved a total of 76.5 million kWh, making it a key driver of sustainable laboratory practices. This year’s remarkable growth signals a strong and accelerating commitment within the scientific community to embrace energy efficiency and sustainability, showcasing the transformative power of small, actionable changes.

“The outstanding results of the 2024 Freezer Challenge are a testament to the relentless commitment of scientists and lab professionals around the globe,” says James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab. “The significant rise in energy savings not only highlights the growing adoption of sustainable practices but also reinforces that collective action in labs can drive substantial environmental benefits.”

2024 Freezer Challenge Winners

This remarkable success is owed to the hard work and dedication of scientists and lab professionals from 239 participating organizations in this year’s Freezer Challenge. With more than 35,000 cold storage units involved, significant efforts were made to implement practices that enhance energy efficiency, ensure sample accessibility, and maintain sample integrity.

While every participating lab has made valuable contributions to energy reduction, we are excited to spotlight those who excelled in the 2024 Freezer Challenge. Winners were determined based on a combination of points accumulated from sustainable practices and the overall energy savings achieved by each lab. They will be recognized at the I2SL Annual Conference on September 29th – October 2nd in St. Louis, Missouri , and featured in an upcoming Lab Manager magazine article.

Additionally, we are thrilled to host a virtual awards ceremony to honor these exceptional labs, with open invitations extended to anyone who wishes to join in the celebration.

List of Our 2024 Winners

Note: Winning Streak Awards are given to previous year’s winners who exceeded their energy savings from last year.

Biotech/Pharmaceutical Sector Winners

Top Organization Award: Amgen – 7,671 kWh/day saved
Winning Streak Award: AstraZeneca – 7,962 kWh/day saved
Large Lab Award: Boston Research – Biology, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (United States) – 438 kWh/day saved
Medium Lab Award: Sample Management Harrogate, Labcorp (United Kingdom) – 281 kWh/day saved
Small Lab Award: Gothenburg Regional HBS Centre, AstraZeneca (Sweden) – 165 kWh/day saved
Biorepository Award: Specimen Library, Bristol Myers Squibb (United States) – 307.15 kWh/day saved
Biorepository Winning Streak Award: Labcorp Biorepository, Labcorp Central Laboratory Services (United States) – 3,869 kWh/day saved

Academic Sector Winners

Top Organization Award: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (United States) – 1,339 kWh/day saved
Lab Winning Streak Award: Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee GI Oncology Lab School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University (United States) – 154 kWh/day saved
Large Lab Award: Lab + in the School of Life Sciences, Coventry University (United Kingdom) – 59 kWh/day saved
Medium Lab Award: Histocompatibility Laboratory, University of Michigan (United States) –80 kWh/day saved
Small Lab Award: Yau Lab, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (United States) – 114 kWh/day saved
Biorepository Award: Cell Culture Facility (ICV-3C), The Paris Brain Institute (France) – 73 kWh/day saved

Hospital/Clinical/Other Winners

Top Organization Award: Boston Children’s Hospital (United States) – 843 kWh/day saved
Large Lab Award: Laboratory Medicine Group, University Hospital Padova (Italy) – 131 kWh/day saved
Medium Lab Award: Genetica Medica, Synlab Italia (Italy) – 51 kWh/day saved
Small Lab Award: Scientific Research and Innovation Services Laboratory, Synnovis (United Kingdom) – 79 kWh/day saved
Biorepository Award: IQVIA Biorepository, Q2 Solutions (United States) – 845 kWh/day saved

Government Sector Winners

Top Organization Award: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Panama) – 159 kWh/day saved
Winning Streak Award: National Institutes of Health (United States) – 3,074 kWh/day saved
Large Lab Award: Drug Safety Testing Center, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (Hong Kong) – 41 kWh/day saved
Medium Lab Award: Central Laboratory, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (United States) – 44 kWh/day saved
Small Lab Award: Trink und Abwasserlabor, Hamburg Water (Germany) – 25 kWh/day saved
Biorepository Award: Center for Cancer Research, Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health (United States) – 442 kWh/day saved

Honorable Mentions

Organizations (all sectors):

University of Michigan
Leiden University Medical Center
SYNLAB Group
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Sanofi
Labcorp
Evotec

Labs (all sectors, all lab sizes):

Johnson & Johnson, Oncology Spring House
Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hepa-Gastro
Evotec, Hamburg, Sample Management Lab
IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances) Madison Process R&D Lab
Labcorp, Mechelen Biorepository
Precision for Medicine, NHLBI
University of British Columbia, UBC BioBank
AstraZeneca South San Francisco (SSF) Biobank

Register for the Freezer Challenge Virtual Awards Ceremony

Awards

The awards recording are now available on demand for free!

Navigating Lab Sustainability: How Environmental Partners Drive Change

mygreenlab — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 19:50:00 +0000

Co-written by My Green Lab and Triumvirate Environmental

At My Green Lab, we understand the unique challenges laboratories face in their journey towards sustainability. One of our goals is to bridge the gap between ambitious sustainability goals and practical, achievable steps that labs can take. We offer a variety of programs designed to make labs greener, such as the My Green Lab Certification program, ACT Eco-Label for sustainable product evaluation, and the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge. These initiatives not only help labs reduce their environmental footprint, but also enhance efficiency and promote a culture of sustainability within the scientific community.

However, sustainability in laboratories isn’t just about reducing waste or energy consumption; it’s about creating a holistic approach that integrates environmental responsibility into every aspect of laboratory operations. This includes everything from procurement of sustainable products, efficient energy use, waste minimization, and promoting a culture of sustainability among staff. By adopting comprehensive sustainability practices, labs can significantly reduce their environmental impact while often realizing cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Environmental partners can be key to achieving these goals. They bring specialized knowledge and practical solutions that can help labs implement and maintain effective sustainability practices. A competent and capable partner can provide critical support in navigating EHS regulations, optimizing resources, and ensuring efficiency in ongoing progress. In addition, partnerships foster innovation and creativity, enabling labs to tackle sustainability challenges with confidence—all while achieving meaningful results.

Why You May Need an Environmental Partner

Navigating the complex landscape of environmental regulations and sustainability best practices can be challenging. An environmental partner can provide the expert guidance to help ensure your lab stays compliant with the latest sustainability standards—as well as optimize resource use, meaning cost savings and reduced environmental impact. By offering specialized services such as waste management, environmental leadership, and consulting for such topics as energy efficiency solutions or best practice implementation, environmental partners can address the sustainability challenges unique to your laboratory and help you move forward in a knowledgeable and effective way.

Moreover, a trusted environmental partner will support sustainability initiative implementation, ensuring a smooth transition into new procedures and practical outcomes of these changes. Continuous improvement is another benefit of partnering for sustainability services; an environmental partner can help track progress and measure impact, spurring sustainability practice evolution and success over time.

Almost every facility requires some form of support in implementing sustainability initiatives—rarely can an organization operate completely independently in this venture. Be it with green waste disposal, environmental consulting, or sustainable committee leadership, there are almost always some major tasks that warrant sustainability services from a competent and experienced partner. Some signs that your organization may need help from an environmental partner are:

Project teams are overloaded and busy
The organization lacks a clear sustainability leader
A sustainability leader is identified, but they can’t maintain internal sustainability support
Sustainability metrics reporting is required
There is an internal desire to analyze sustainability metrics
Lofty corporate or operational sustainability goals require attention
There is a desire to track and reduce energy use, waste consumption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—as well as associated costs
Internal processes are not aligning with the broader organizational environmental position
Utility costs need to be lowered
Green sourcing and supply chain is desired
There is interest in obtaining a sustainability certification such as My Green Lab Certification, whether by individual teams or as an organization overall

If one or more of these apply to you, it might be time to consider working with an experienced and dedicated environmental partner who can guide and support your sustainability journey.

EHS Partnering for Lab Sustainability

At My Green Lab, we provide the framework and tools necessary to help labs achieve their sustainability goals. Our My Green Lab Certification program sets the standard for best practices in lab sustainability, covering areas such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable purchasing. Labs that achieve this certification demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and leadership in the scientific community.

While our programs provide the framework and recognition for sustainable practices, an environmental partner can offer the on-the-ground support necessary for implementing these practices. EHS vendors like My Green Lab’s Accelerator Partner Triumvirate Environmental can support your lab’s journey towards sustainability. With a deep-set commitment to sustainability and an expansive set of service offerings, including sustainable waste management, from upstream waste management to downstream recycling and other green disposal, Triumvirate Environmental has the know-how—and the onsite support—to help you succeed.

Whether you seek guidance on best practices, insights into broader organizational initiatives, leadership for your sustainability committee to drive innovation and success, or physical waste and onsite services, Triumvirate Environmental, with over 65 My Green Lab Ambassadors and more than 10 My Green Lab Accredited Professionals on their team, can serve as the catalyst to empower labs toward sustainable excellence.

Building a Sustainable Future Together

Regardless of what you need, a partnership with an experienced environmental services provider can help you fully achieve your sustainability goals. With a suite of trained consultants, national reach, and backed by a team of qualified and dedicated onsite support staff, Triumvirate Environmental is well-equipped to support your lab’s journey towards sustainability. As our Accelerator Partner, Triumvirate Environmental has everything you need to succeed in your My Green Lab Certification journey.
Our collaboration with Triumvirate Environmental underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to sustainability. By leveraging the strengths of both My Green Lab and an environmental partner, labs can achieve their sustainability goals more effectively and efficiently. Together, we can make a significant impact on the environmental footprint of the scientific community.

To learn more, you can visit Triumvirate Environmental’s Lab Sustainability Services page.

My Green Lab Unveils Converge, a Collaborative Supply Chain Initiative Bringing Sustainability to the Forefront of the Pharmaceutical Industry

mygreenlab — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 20:42:00 +0000

Founding Sponsors AstraZeneca, GSK, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Amgen Join Forces with My Green Lab to Drive Sustainable Practices Across the Industry

My Green Lab, the world’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the sustainability of scientific research, today announces the launch of Converge, a collaborative supply chain initiative. With a shared goal of supporting lab sustainability, founding sponsors of the initiative include AstraZeneca, GSK, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Amgen.

Pharmaceutical companies rely on their suppliers to provide goods and services and represent Scope 3 carbon emissions in their value chain. Supplier engagement with Contract Research Organizations (CROs), Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) is important to address Scope 3 carbon emissions. Converge will leverage the collective and collaborative efforts of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to encourage suppliers with a large research footprint to reduce the environmental impact of their labs through My Green Lab Certification, a key indicator of progress for the United Nations Climate Change’s High-Level Climate Champions 2030 Breakthroughs Race to Zero campaign.

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with ten or more labs already enrolled in My Green Lab Certification are encouraged to sign up and join a collective initiation aiming to certify all labs across the value chain in alignment with the Race to Zero’s breakthrough outcome that 95% of all labs are My Green Lab certified at the highest level by 2030.

Through Converge, suppliers will be provided with additional resources and peer-to-peer learning that will support increased scientist awareness and engagement in sustainability measures, alongside cost reductions through lowered energy, water, and waste supported by additional resources and peer-to-peer learning. The program’s partners gain secure access to a Supplier Dashboard for tracking green lab certification progress, and an Impact Estimator tool for measuring environmental reductions. The initiative also offers its participants educational webinars and a Supplier Network Group for peer-learning facilitated by My Green Lab.

“Suppliers play a vital role in the industry and based on our 2022 Carbon Impact Report, the majority of the impact comes from the value chain. When suppliers partner with My Green Lab through Converge and earn My Green Lab Certifications, they are not only actively supporting lab sustainability, but also solidifying their position as a trusted and preferred organization in the industry,” says James Connelly, My Green Lab’s CEO.

About My Green Lab Certification

My Green Lab Certification provides actionable ways for scientists and laboratory teams to make meaningful changes within their daily operations. It is considered the gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices around the world and has helped over 2,000 labs in 45 countries and over 26,000 scientists preserve resources, save money, and ensure a safe and healthy environment in support of science.

About Converge

Converge envisions a comprehensive dedication to lab sustainability throughout the pharmaceutical industry. Converge aims to ensure every supplier lab has a thriving culture of sustainability and every scientist knows how their actions can make a difference. Converge will help the pharmaceutical sector lead the world on supply chain engagement and inspire other sectors to follow in its footsteps.

2023 Carbon Impact of Biotech & Pharma Report: Collective Action Accelerating Progress to the UN Race to Zero

mygreenlab — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:25:00 +0000

The Biotech and Pharma industry is a significant contributor to global climate change, and therefore must be part of the global climate solution. The global biotechnology market size was estimated at USD $1.0 trillion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9% from 2022 to 2030, reaching $3.9 trillion by 2030.

A report produced by My Green Lab with contribution from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) found significant progress towards the adoption of net-zero goals within the Biotech and Pharma sector, with more companies joining the UN-backed Race to Zero initiative, and some notable successes in the largest companies making year-on-year intensity reductions. The report was released during COP28 on Dec 5, 2023, and showed that the pace of accomplishments, while substantial, must be greatly accelerated for the industry to remain below the 1.5˚C threshold that the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns our planet should not cross.

As of 2023, thirty-five companies (53% of the sector by revenue) have committed to the Race to Zero initiative, an increase from 30 companies (46% by revenue) at this time last year. Progress towards the Breakthrough Outcome has also been swift, with 63% of Pharma and Med Tech companies in the campaign having started a My Green Lab Certification, and nearly half of those programs at a global scale.

Key Findings of the Report

The report is an update to My Green Lab’s 2021 & 2022 reports, which was the first to evaluate the upstream and downstream value chain of Biotech and Pharma by quantifying Scope 3 emissions for both public and private companies. The report leverages data from 226 publicly-listed companies and 147 privately-held companies to produce a comprehensive profile of the carbon emissions of the Biotech and Pharma industry, including a comparison of this emissions profile to other industry sectors. The analysis also identifies critical hotspots that are opportunities for positive change while charting industry progress towards the UNFCCC Race to Zero and the UNFCCC 2030 Breakthrough Outcomes campaign.

One of the results of the report is that 90% of the 91 public companies analyzed in the sector still do not have targets (for Scope 1 and 2) in the short term (2021–2025) that are aligned with a 1.5˚C increase world. It also found that the overall carbon impact of the industry has been rising every year, going from 3.9% in 2021 to 5% in 2022. Another key finding of the report is that Scope 3 emissions are 4.6-fold Scope 1 and 2 combined, with the vast majority of Scope 3 emissions coming from purchased goods and services. In response, the industry has launched a suite of collective initiatives that show great promise in reducing Scope 3.

Collaborative Efforts and Industry Alliances

In 2021, My Green Lab’s flagship program, the My Green Lab Certification was selected as a Race to Zero Breakthrough Outcome to help pharmaceutical and medical tech companies achieve the goal of a zero-carbon world by 2050. It focuses on reducing emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by making laboratory operations more sustainable. It further helps catalyze Scope 3 reductions by encouraging sustainable purchasing within organizations and with laboratories that a company contracts within its supply chain.

To meet the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement, the industry must continue to improve the quality and comparability of reporting, while taking rapid and measurable actions on industry carbon footprints and engaging the industry supply chain. Harmonization of supplier requirements by the Sustainable Markets Initiative and forums such as the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative are helping to create industry alignment. To tackle the challenge of addressing Scope 3, the industry has launched a suite of programs to align requests and help support suppliers in accomplishing these supply chain goals. An example of such an initiative is My Green Lab’s Converge program, which is expected to have a powerful impact on suppliers with great potential for rapid and effective action.

Download the 2023 Report

2023 Carbon Impact

2023 Carbon Impact of Biotech & Pharma

Download the 2023 Carbon Impact Report

Biotech and Pharma’s Carbon Impact: Insights From My Green Lab

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Converge, My Green Lab’s Supplier Initiative

Converge is a My Green Lab initiative that aims to harness the collective power of the Pharmaceutical industry to encourage suppliers to reduce the impact of their operational labs through My Green Lab Certification. The program enrolls large Pharma companies that have at least 10 labs enrolled in My Green Lab Certification and requires them to collectively request that suppliers including Contract Research Organizations (CROs), Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) with significant laboratory operations certify their labs in alignment with the 2030 Breakthrough Outcomes target. The target is for 95% of all labs to be certified at the highest level. In November 2023, four major Pharma companies, AstraZeneca, GSK, Amgen, and Bristol Myers Squib joined the Converge initiative. They outlined the targets seen in the following figure for their joint suppliers.

Conclusion

Biotech and pharmaceutical companies have the technical acumen, culture of innovation,
and financial resources needed to be a global leader in environmental sustainability. They
also have a shared supply chain and collaborative industry organizations necessary to align requirements and support collective action. The industry has just under a decade, roughly the same time it takes to bring a new drug to market, to achieve net zero carbon and, in doing so, inspire industry sectors around the world.

My Green Lab's Supplier Initiative

converge

Learn About Converge

My Green Lab Renews Partnership with the United Nations High-Level Climate Champions to Accelerate Healthcare Sector’s Carbon Reduction and Resilience Efforts

mygreenlab — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 17:57:00 +0000

My Green Lab is proud to announce our renewed partnership with the United Nations High-Level Climate Champions. Supporting the United Nations’ Race to Zero Campaign, which aims to halve global carbon emissions by 2030, this renewed collaboration will empower more organizations than ever to achieve their carbon commitments through My Green Lab’s programs and research.

Building on the success of the current partnership in advancing the biotech and pharma industry’s commitments, the renewed partnership will more broadly address the healthcare value chain. My Green Lab’s VP of Investments and Partnerships, Ryan Arnold, has been appointed the Health Sector Lead at the High-Level Climate Champions. “Biotech and pharma play a huge role within the sector, but there are more opportunities across the healthcare value chain where My Green Lab’s tools can help drive systemic change,” says Arnold.

My Green Lab Certification was selected as a Race to Zero Breakthrough Outcome in 2021, establishing a target that 95% of labs in biotech and pharma achieve Certification at the highest level by 2030. Over 2,000 labs and 24,000 scientists from 45 countries have engaged with the program, including 35 of the largest biotech and pharma companies. Currently, 71% of companies in the sector with over $1 billion in revenue that have joined the Race to Zero are working on a My Green Lab Certification. The rapidly growing program is recognized as the gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices worldwide.

In addition to ensuring the adoption of My Green Lab Certification in laboratories, the renewed partnership will build upon My Green Lab’s groundbreaking report on the carbon impact of biotech and pharma that tracks the industry’s progress to net zero carbon.

“With only seven years until 2030, we must urgently accelerate the decarbonization of all parts of the economy. My Green Lab has been our key partner since 2022 to align the pharma and biotech sector with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This year, we’re thrilled to expand our partnership to the whole health sector and focus on both decarbonization and resilience in the frame of the 2030 Breakthroughs and the Sharm El Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, with expected highlights at COP28,” says Emmanuelle Pinault, Director of Systems Transformation, High-Level Climate Champions.

Refurbish, Reuse, Recycle: The Impact of Certified Pre-Owned Instruments on Laboratory Sustainability

mygreenlab — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 20:58:00 +0000

With 85% of laboratories reporting sustainability goals*, it’s clear that environmentally responsible practices have become a key focus for a lab’s continued success. But even with goals in place, the question remains: How can a lab become more sustainable, accomplish throughput and research goals, while also staying in budget? At its core, sustainability is doing more with less. Resource savings can also translate to cost savings when considering critical equipment needs by choosing pre-owned instrumentation.

Laboratory instruments—especially Mass Spectrometers and Atomic Spectroscopy equipment— are laden with precious metals, silicone chips, and other finite resources. Not to mention the other plastics, electronics, and total energy input required for manufacturing. That’s why it is important to consider providing a second life to a robust analytical instrument when making purchasing decisions for your lab.

The Circular Economy of Lab Instrumentation

Programs like Agilent’s Certified Pre-Owned Instruments help reduce precious resource use, giving analytical instruments a second life through a circular economy model (Figure 1). Once the laboratory that originally purchased a new instrument (the “First Lab”) no longer needs it, they can return the used instrument to Agilent through the Trade-in and Buyback program^ and receive credit in exchange for the instrument’s residual value. Agilent engineers perform a rigorous inspection, cleaning, and decontamination process so that anything that has touched a sample is thoroughly sonicated and/or replaced. The instrument next goes through further parts replacement and a suite of tests until it passes original specifications.

The circular economy of laboratory instrument through Agilent’s Certified Pre-Owned Instrument Program

The certified pre-owned instrument is complete with new covers, consumables, and the latest firmware & software—bringing the instrument back to like-new quality. It is then available for resale to a second lab, making the most of consumed resources.

For laboratories looking to refresh their instrument fleet, the Trade-In and Buyback program can be beneficial for multiple reasons. First and foremost, it is a means to unlock value from older instrumentation to lessen the capital expenditure initially required to purchase a new instrument. Secondly, valuable bench space can be freed up for more efficient models. The responsibility of instrument disposal is shifted to Agilent, where a team of experts routinely manages these decisions and logistics. Finally, the program serves as an outlet for environmentally conscious waste disposal, resulting in reduced emissions for the company.

More than 3,700 lab instruments were given a new life in 2021, this number continues to grow year-over-year. Watch the refurbishment process in action.
More than 2,300 instruments were kept out of landfills through the Trade-In and Buyback Program in 2021 alone. Find out how much your instrument is worth.
More than 600 used instruments were recycled in 2021.

In addition to its sustainability benefits, Agilent’s program not only provides laboratories a means of purchasing equipment at a lower cost (certified pre-owned instruments are often available at 30-50% the new instrument price), but also guarantees peace-of-mind with a same-as-new, 12-month warranty and installation and introduction by Agilent service professionals.

Whether you’re a “first lab” purchasing brand-new equipment or a “second lab” enjoying the economic benefits of like-new instrumentation, choosing a vendor with an effective certified pre-owned instrument program supports a sustainable circular economy, enabling adoption of environmentally friendly practices and access to scientific innovation.

For more on the Agilent Certified Pre-Owned Instrument program or request a quote, visit: www.agilent.com/chem/CPO-instruments.

* Understanding Key Challenges and Pain Points in the Global Laboratory Market Survey 2017. Agilent data on file.
^ The Agilent Trade-In and Buyback program is available in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Korea, The Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States.
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Study Find Rapid Progress in Biotech & Pharma Companies Committing to UN Race to Zero through My Green Lab Certification Program

mygreenlab — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 23:25:00 +0000

View the updated 2023 report

A study by My Green Lab in partnership ICE (which acquired Urgentem) found that more companies than ever in the biotech and pharma industry are adopting zero carbon goals and joining the UN Race to Zero. The study, released at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27, on November 10th, 2022, shows that 46% of the sector by revenue has committed to the Race to Zero, up from 31% at this time last year. Progress towards the 2030 Breakthrough Outcome, a key measure of progress towards a zero carbon future, has also been swift, with over 53% of companies in the campaign starting a My Green Lab Certification, 23% at a global scale.

About the Study

The report is an update to My Green Lab’s 2021 report, which quantified Scope 1 and 2 as well as Scope 3 emissions across the industry’s entire value chain. The updated report tracks the industry’s progress since 2015 and evaluates alignment with achieving the Paris Climate Agreement. It leverages data from 231 publicly listed companies and 151 privately held companies and compares that profile to other industry sectors.

While the positive trend in commitment to science-based targets is encouraging, the study also highlights the industry’s need for more ambitious targets and increased action. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are significant contributors to climate change, with higher emissions than the forestry and paper industry, widely regarded as one of the most carbon-intensive industries.

The study revealed that 91% of biotech and pharma companies do not have carbon reduction targets aligned with aligned with a 1.5˚C warming scenario, the emission targets that the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UNFCCC) estimates will avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Also revealed in the study is the total carbon impact of public companies in the industry sector, which increased 15% to 227 million tCO2-e, or metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Adding in private companies increases the total another 15%, with the total carbon impact of the industry equaling 260 million tCO2-e.

“While it is encouraging to see the leading companies in the biotech and pharma industry starting to drive year on year reductions – we need to get the entire industry engaged, and we need to rapidly scale up our efforts if the industry is going to be part of the climate solution,” says James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab. “We need every company in the industry to join the Race to Zero campaign and take rapid, measurable actions to drive down emissions. While progress towards the Breakthrough Outcome goal of 95% of labs achieving My Green Lab Certification is encouraging and a key leading indicator of transformation, we need to move faster,” Connelly continues.

Although the fast-growing global biotech and pharmaceutical industry is a significant contributor to climate change, the industry’s largest companies are demonstrating leadership in emissions reductions. Highlighted in the report is the industry’s move to implement green lab programs, which provide a roadmap of practical opportunities for companies, scientists, and their suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of laboratories.

“Pharmaceutical companies have a pivotal role to play in decarbonizing healthcare. We’re proud to be partnering with My Green Lab, the global standard for laboratory sustainability, to accelerate climate action across our organization,” says Juliette White, Vice-President, Global Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) and Sustainability, AstraZeneca. “Through our science-based Ambition Zero Carbon targets, we are on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our global operations and fleet by 98% by 2026 and have already achieved My Green Lab Certification in over 68 labs worldwide, engaging with over 1,700 scientists,” White continues.

My Green Lab Certification focuses on reducing emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by making laboratory operations more sustainable. It further helps catalyze Scope 3 reductions by encouraging sustainable purchasing within organizations and with laboratories that a company contracts within its supply chain. It was selected as a Race to Zero Breakthrough Outcome to help pharmaceutical and medical tech companies achieve the goal of a zero-carbon world by 2050.

Watch COP27 event recording