Project Office Energy, Climate Protection & Sustainability My Green Lab
In April 2025, 23 natural and life sciences laboratories at Heidelberg University successfully completed the My Green Lab certification.
The US-based non-profit organization My Green Lab has so far certified over 3,400 laboratories worldwide from research, industry, and academic institutions. It has been identified by the United Nations through their “Race to Zero” campaign as one of the main actors working toward the goal of making natural and life sciences laboratory operations climate-neutral by 2050 through energy, resource, and water consumption savings.
The Rectorate funded the initial implementation of the certification in December 2023, in which interested research groups participated. A second certification round with a new group of participants is planned for fall 2025. Interested laboratories or research groups can already contact the Project Office for Energy, Climate Protection and Sustainability.
What does the certification entail?
The certification process includes the following steps:
- Baseline Assessment: Laboratory staff completed a questionnaire about the current state of the laboratory.
- Evaluation of questionnaires: Based on feedback from the laboratory or research group, improvement measures were proposed.
- Implementation phase: The research groups discussed the suggestions and implemented respective measures. They had approximately 6 to 8 months for this.
- Final survey: After the implementation phase, laboratory staff completed a questionnaire about the new current state of the laboratory.
- Receiving certification: Based on the feedback, participating laboratories received the corresponding certification according to the "My Green Lab" Certification Assessment.
Successful Participation
f the 23 certified laboratories, 13 achieved the highest "Green" standard. Three additional laboratories each received "Platinum" and "Gold" certifications, two laboratories were awarded "Silver," and one laboratory received "Bronze." My Green Lab reports from experience that most laboratories typically complete their first participation with "Bronze" or "Silver" standards. It is therefore particularly gratifying that more than half of the certified laboratories at Heidelberg University achieved the highest standard on their first attempt.
Future of the program
The certification is valid for 2 years. After that, research groups are free to participate in the program again. The certification represents a first, voluntary step toward permanently sustainable laboratory operations. The primary goal is to integrate sustainability as a lived practice into daily laboratory work in the long term, thereby making a valuable contribution to climate protection.