Working Group Sustainable Actions in Labs (SAiL)
The members of the Sustainable Actions in Labs Working Group:
Top staircase, from left to right: Philipp Weber, Melina Kerou, Johannes Rath, Jani Kotakoski, Nikola Winter
Bottom staircase, from left to right: Andrea Tramontano, Chiara Luna Onorati, Manfred Ogris, Ulrich Technau, Christa Schleper, Nikola Canigova, Florian Pichlmüller, Fabien Martins
Members not depicted: Hannes Schmidt, Daniel Schirmer, Flora Rainalter
In conversation with the Sustainable Actions in Labs (SAiL) working group
What are the main tasks and objectives of the SAiL working group?
Nikola: SAiL is a working group of the Sustainability Council at the University of Vienna, bringing together members from lab-based faculties and IT.
Melina: Our work is structured along three tracks. First, we developed a strategy for sustainability in university laboratories that will evolve with our knowledge and ambitions. Second, we are building in-house expertise to assess greenhouse gas emissions of labs in collaboration with Fraunhofer Austria. Third, we test and implement emission reduction measures and address other environmentally problematic areas such as water use.
Andrea: We see ourselves as a think tank aiming to make our laboratories more sustainable. We bring forward ideas, integrate them into a strategic vision, and develop them into concrete actions.
Florian: Our core objective is to lower the environmental impact of laboratory research by decreasing the work-related carbon footprint and fostering a greener research culture. We develop and implement sustainability plans, promote recycling programs, gather metrics on energy use, calculate CO₂ emissions, and identify eco-friendly alternatives for lab equipment and materials.
Hannes: In short, we estimate the carbon footprint of research laboratories, identify resource-saving opportunities, and implement sustainable changes to laboratory practice.
Why are laboratories a key place to focus on sustainability?
Florian: Laboratories are among the most resource-intensive environments at a university due to high energy demands, water consumption, and single-use plastics. Importantly, this is where the next generation of researchers is trained and habits formed at the bench today become the standard in the future.
Nikola: Compared to less material-based disciplines, labs require controlled conditions, elaborate instruments, chemicals, and consumables. Their high energy and resource demand makes them a crucial leverage point.
Melina: Laboratories are operationally complex and involve many stakeholders beyond researchers, such as manufacturers, facility management, and waste services. This makes them powerful spaces for collaboration and systemic solutions, and natural test beds for innovation.
Andrea: Ultimately, laboratories generate knowledge to build a better world. But that goal is undermined if we ignore the environmental, financial, and social impacts of our own research practices.
What are the biggest barriers to making labs more sustainable?
Melina: A major barrier is the “publish-or-perish” culture, which often frames sustainability as secondary, or even as a threat to research quality and freedom. This is misleading. Sustainable practices can improve quality and reproducibility while also generating cost savings.
Florian: Many staff and students are motivated to “go green”, but changing established routines and standard operating procedures is slow, and sustainable actions are not always recognized or rewarded.
Hannes: Changing behaviours needs repeated convincing and dissemination. As researchers we want evidence that sustainable practice makes a difference and does not interfere with the quality of research.
Andrea: To guide the sustainable cultural change, professionals should be hired. They should be trained experts who assess alternatives, suggest informed solutions, and support implementation across labs, supply chains, and facilities.
Nikola: Research will always require resources, but they can be used more efficiently. International collaboration is essential, so travel cannot be avoided, but it can be organized more sustainably. While we have good energy data, we still lack comprehensive data on mobility and material consumption to monitor progress effectively.
Are there achievements you are particularly proud of?
Florian: I am most excited by the institutional shift across the University. Lab sustainability has evolved from a grassroots movement into an integral part of research culture. There is still quite a way to go, but the daily commitment of students and staff makes a tremendous impact. It is really heartening to work alongside similarly driven colleagues from SAiL and knowing that the University actively embraces these values is a real source of pride for me.
Hannes: It is great to see the sustainability endeavour set SAiL across the university contributing to a systematic change.
Andrea: I am proud of the Lab Plastic Recycling Symposium and building a network of like-minded colleagues within our university and beyond. Learning new things, i.e. from the workshops, makes me proud, because it was a relatively big amount of work done as an extracurricular activity.
Nikola: Our participation in the International Freezer Challenge 2025 and in OekoWin 2024, which guides organizations toward an environmental management system, are important steps toward institutionalizing sustainable operations and continuous improvement.
How do you imagine sustainable labs in five years?
Melina: I envision laboratories where Sustainability together with Safety and Societal Relevance will be key aspects of scientific culture driving excellent research. Where before running an experiment, everyone would ask: “Is there a more sustainable way to do this?”
Hannes: Laboratories will remain resource-intensive, but improved energy and plastic management will significantly reduce their environmental impact.
Andrea: I hope for biodegradable or biobased lab materials, eco-friendly chemicals, zero waste concepts and smart procurement systems minimizing supply chain emissions. Ideally, public funding will only be granted to projects serious about their sustainability efforts.
Florian: I envision digital twins and immersive technology in teaching labs, dynamic and AI-driven climate control in research facilities, and a strong focus on sustainable procurement and circular economy of lab consumables.
Nikola: At the Max Perutz Labs, sustainable practices will be embedded in the code of conduct, onboarding, and an environmental management system with public reporting and audits. Already today our slogan is: “World-class science, committed to sustainability”.
What small changes can individual lab members make immediately?
Nikola: Avoid flying where possible, plan experiments to minimize resources, replace hazardous substances, dispose of waste correctly, maintain good documentation and updated inventories, share materials and equipment, and most importantly, convey to students that sustainability is part of excellent science.
Florian: Close fume hood sashes, power down unused equipment, recycle non-contaminated materials, conserve water, share rarely used chemicals, and choose climate-conscious mobility options.
Hannes: Careful experimental planning and questioning whether an experiment is necessary can help reduce resource use.
Melina: Re-think protocols with a sustainability mindset.
Andrea: And ensure that bottom-up initiatives continue. Good sustainability ideas must spread horizontally and vertically toward institutional implementation.
How can people get involved?
Hannes: Everyone interested in lab sustainability is always welcome. Reach out to us and raise your voice in lab or group meetings to put sustainability on the agenda.
Andrea: Attend our events, ask questions, and spread the word. This will create the necessary energy. Long-term impact also requires financial support and professional development opportunities for committed individuals.
Florian: Participate in outreach events, plastic recycling programs, or networks like Green Labs Austria. Contact us for advice and talk to other team members and supervisors to help to transform your lab into a sustainable workplace!
Nikola: It is no problem to start small, we also began as a grassroots initiative in 2019. At the Max Perutz Labs, join the Climate Group, our excursions or programs like the International Freezer Challenge or Wien Radelt. If you are at another institute and want to get active, join SAiL.