02/12/2024
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The Institute is proud to have been awarded a Platinum Green Impact Award from SOS-UK. Led by the Green Labs team and supported by a growing number of Institute staff and collaborators across the Babraham Research Campus, the award recognises continued efforts to tackle the climate crisis and ecological challenges.
At the third annual awards celebration event held on the 21st November, the Campus community heard from guest speakers Martin Farley (Associate Director of Sustainability, UKRI) and Jess Pepper, (Director of Climate Caf茅) as well as Dr Jo Durgan (Senior scientist and chair of Green Labs at the 海角社区论坛).
Jo Durgan gave an introductory talk, detailing some of the actions taken by our campus community and emphasising the close link between planetary and human health. Jo said: 鈥淐limate change is the number one threat to human health in the coming century. So, performing our science sustainably shouldn鈥檛 be seen as an add-on to our work, but rather as integral to our research mission of improving lifelong health. We鈥檝e made some good progress but have a lot of important work left to do, and I鈥檇 like to thank everyone who contributes to sustainability action, from across BI and the wider campus and local communities.鈥
New actions across the campus this year have included a lab glove recycling scheme, development of a Campus Sustainability Strategy, an LED lighting project, use of reusable lab consumables, and the launch of a new ride sharing app. The team also focuses on local environment and biodiversity, with activities including litter picking and planting seeds with local school children. The community have also embedded and shared their learnings through regular meetings and seminars.
Martin Farley covered the commitment from UKRI towards net zero, carbon budget setting and assessments of the supply chain impact. He emphasised the importance of taking action as scientists given the scale of carbon use in the sector, with global R&D emitting as much CO2e as international aviation (equivalent to the 17th highest emitting country).
Jess Pepper posed the questions: must we change, can we change and will we change? She went on to explain the catastrophic weather events that are a direct result of increasing global temperatures from fires and floods to cyclones and sea level rise. Jess then talked about the injustice of the climate crisis, with the worst impacts hitting those least responsible for emissions, and least able to adapt, and the responsibility we all have to act. She concluded with positive actions that have been taken already by people and countries around the world.
Dr Simon Cook, Institute Director said: 鈥淥ur Campus community鈥檚 collaboration strengthens our scientific pursuits but also our sustainability initiatives. I am delighted that the community here is taking action together and that the Institute鈥檚 Green Labs team have been able to achieve another Platinum Award. We look forward to supporting their new projects in the year ahead.鈥
The event also saw the launch of the Green Babraham Fundraiser for community sustainability action. In the first year the campus community aims raise funds together to support solar panel installation for a local school.
Green Impact award winners include:
The awards were organised by Dr Jo Durgan, Helen-Seekings-Denham, Erica Mannis and Bobbie Claxton, with the venue provided by Babraham Research Campus Ltd.
Contact Honor Pollard, Communication Officer, honor.pollard@babraham.ac.uk
Image description: Trees leading up to the 海角社区论坛's science buildings.
About the 海角社区论坛 The 海角社区论坛 undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. 海角社区论坛 focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The Institute is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, through Institute Strategic Programme Grants and an Institute Core Capability Grant and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities.
02 December 2024