MRC Climate Crisis Network
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Dundee
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
There is a pressing need for all MRC Units, Centres and Institutes (together with their host institutions) to understand the major components of their carbon footprint, and then commit to achieving maximum cuts to their emissions in the shortest possible timeframe. Here, we aim to create a national ‘MRC Climate Crisis Network’ of Units, Centres and Institutes. The network will be established and led by a small and committed team of Units. These Units will collaboratively investigate their own carbon footprints, share the analyses, and use the data to begin to build a sustainability action plan. All other Units, Centres and Institutes would be invited subsequently to join the network and to sign up to the action plan, which will evolve in response to the latest science.
Technical Summary
There is a pressing need for all MRC Units, Centres and Institutes (together with their host institutions) to understand the major components of their carbon footprint, and then commit to achieving maximum cuts to their emissions in the shortest possible timeframe. Here, we aim to create a national ‘MRC Climate Crisis Network’ of Units, Centres and Institutes. The network will be established and led by a small and committed team of Units. These Units will collaboratively investigate their own carbon footprints, share the analyses, and use the data to begin to build a sustainability action plan. All other Units, Centres and Institutes would be invited subsequently to join the network and to sign up to the action plan, which will evolve in response to the latest science.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Dario Alessi (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | Head of Climate Action and Sustainability for School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
| Impact | See contributions described above. |
| Description | Carbon Footprint Analysis of MRC units leading to a science-based plan for NetZero |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Department | MRC Human Genetics Unit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have worked with Sweco to gather all the data needed for the initial analysis in Dundee. Then we have worked with MRC HGU and MRC MBU to help them gather data for their own carbon-footprint analysis, based on our work in MRC PPU. Through regular contact between MRC PPU and the Green Teams at MRC HGU and MRC MBU, we have pooled expertise and shared our data and experience, to help improve sustainability of research in all three centres. To guide actions in all three Units, we have used the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) established by UCL, together with an equivalent scheme in Edinburgh. To provide independent quality control in this work, we will assess the submissions to LEAF of MRC MBU in Cambridge. |
| Collaborator Contribution | MRC HGU and MRC MBU will submit their data for their respective carbon footprint analysis to our partner company Sweco. MRC MBU have assessed the MRC PPU submission to LEAF scheme for the bronze award (and will do so for our Silver and Gold awards too). Through regular contact between our Green Teams and Sustainability Officers, MRC HGU and MRC MBU will continue to pool expertise and share data and experience with MRC PPU, to help improve sustainability of research in all three centres. |
| Impact | Submission of Carbon Footprint Analysis Data to the engineering and sustainability consultancy Sweco, from MRC PPU / MRC MBU / MRC HGU. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Carbon Footprint Analysis of MRC units leading to a science-based plan for NetZero |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Department | MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have worked with Sweco to gather all the data needed for the initial analysis in Dundee. Then we have worked with MRC HGU and MRC MBU to help them gather data for their own carbon-footprint analysis, based on our work in MRC PPU. Through regular contact between MRC PPU and the Green Teams at MRC HGU and MRC MBU, we have pooled expertise and shared our data and experience, to help improve sustainability of research in all three centres. To guide actions in all three Units, we have used the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) established by UCL, together with an equivalent scheme in Edinburgh. To provide independent quality control in this work, we will assess the submissions to LEAF of MRC MBU in Cambridge. |
| Collaborator Contribution | MRC HGU and MRC MBU will submit their data for their respective carbon footprint analysis to our partner company Sweco. MRC MBU have assessed the MRC PPU submission to LEAF scheme for the bronze award (and will do so for our Silver and Gold awards too). Through regular contact between our Green Teams and Sustainability Officers, MRC HGU and MRC MBU will continue to pool expertise and share data and experience with MRC PPU, to help improve sustainability of research in all three centres. |
| Impact | Submission of Carbon Footprint Analysis Data to the engineering and sustainability consultancy Sweco, from MRC PPU / MRC MBU / MRC HGU. |
| Start Year | 2022 |