Seven more research groups at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) have been certified by My Green Lab, reaching the highest rating, the Green Level, for sustainable laboratory practices. With these additions, IBEC core facilities and 60% of the Institute’s laboratories are now certified.
In line with IBEC’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and following the success of its first round of certifications, the institute has continued its journey toward more environmentally responsible research. As part of IBEC’s Sustainable Strategy, seven additional research groups have now completed the My Green Lab certification process. This new milestone was made possible thanks to the continued efforts of the Sustainable Research Committee and the recent addition of IBEC’s new Sustainability Officer, Mar Chaguaceda, certified as a My Green Lab Ambassador, who has helped coordinate, support, and guide this second round of certification.
The My Green Lab Certification is considered the international gold standard for laboratory sustainability. It is also a key indicator for the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, which aims to halve global carbon emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. The certification evaluates 14 critical areas (from energy and water use to chemical safety, procurement, and waste management) providing labs with a structured and science-based path toward environmental improvement.
The newly certified IBEC labs began with a self-assessment to establish a baseline score and received tailored recommendations for improvement. With baseline scores ranging from 58 to 81, each group worked closely with IBEC’s sustainability team to implement actions across the 14 sustainability categories. After several months of collaborative efforts, all seven research groups – Bacterial Infections: Antimicrobial Therapies, Bioengineering in Reproductive Health, Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration, Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies, Biomimetic Systems for Cell Engineering, Protein Phase Transitions in Health and Disease, Smart Nano-Bio-Devices – successfully achieved the “Green” certification level, the highest awarded by My Green Lab, indicating that 80% or more of the recommended sustainability actions were implemented. These achievements reflect the commitment and teamwork of IBEC researchers, supported by a structure that fosters continuous improvement and environmental awareness.
At IBEC, this certification process has helped to integrate sustainability into everyday lab practices, raise awareness, and promote responsible science, with 60% of IBEC’s laboratories now certified. Thanks to the dedication of its research staff and sustainability team, IBEC continues to move toward its goal of certifying all research groups, contributing to a more sustainable future for science and society.
