Laboratories have long been described as the “engines” of the life sciences, but they are also among the sector’s biggest sources of energy use and operational emissions. The newly released 2025 Carbon Impact of Biotech & Pharma Report from My Green Lab underscores this imbalance with a familiar but urgent data point: labs consume up to 10 times more energy and four times more water than a typical office space.
Against this backdrop, the updated My Green Lab Certification 2.0 arrives at a pivotal moment. The new framework supports sustainable laboratory practices by introducing a more robust set of tools, from an integrated software platform to third-party verification, that directly respond to growing institutional pressure for measurable environmental performance. For lab managers navigating shrinking budgets, rising utility costs, and expanding lab sustainability programs and mandates, Certification 2.0 offers a clearer, evidence-based path to operational improvement.
Updated tools support data quality and scalability
My Green Lab Certification 2.0 includes several new tools and program changes meant to streamline implementation and strengthen reporting:
- Centralized software platform that manages certification steps, performance tracking, and documentation
- Impact estimator that calculates reductions in electricity, water, waste, and carbon emissions
- Third-party verification through Impact Laboratories to ensure credibility
- Enhanced guidance covering materials management, equipment efficiency, cold storage, and behavioral best practices
These updates give lab managers stronger insight into how operational decisions translate into emissions reductions and cost savings.
Early results demonstrate significant reductions
According to the report, data from the first 100 laboratories certified under the new framework show measurable improvements in carbon and cost performance:
- Commercial labs reduced emissions by an average of 131 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) per lab and saved approximately $99,000 annually
- Academic labs achieved an average reduction of 31.32 tonnes CO₂e and annual savings of approximately $39,000
These reductions reflect changes such as optimizing fume hood operations, consolidating freezer inventory, improving cold-storage efficiency, and reducing unnecessary water use.
My Green Lab Certification 2.0 expands to clinical and diagnostic labs
Clinical and diagnostic laboratories operate under unique pressures, including continuous sample flow, strict regulatory expectations, and specialized instrumentation. My Green Lab introduced a diagnostic-lab version of Certification 2.0 at its 2025 Global Summit to help these facilities adopt sustainability practices without compromising throughput or quality.
For managers of high-volume diagnostic settings, this tailored version provides actionable guidance on equipment performance, energy reduction, and waste minimization that aligns with the realities of clinical operations.
Why this matters for lab managers
My Green Lab Certification 2.0 offers several advantages for laboratory leaders:
- Standardized sustainability data to support reporting
- Operational savings that can offset equipment upgrades
- Reduced maintenance costs through improved equipment efficiency
- Stronger alignment with institutional climate strategies
As organizations move toward more rigorous carbon accounting practices, the updated certification gives laboratory teams a clear and credible framework for demonstrating progress.
To read more about the findings in the 2025 Carbon Impact of Biotech & Pharma Report from My Green Lab, please click here.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
