06/06/2025
Key points:
The Babraham Institute has committed to wide-ranging actions and objectives aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of research. The signing of the Concordat follows many years of action to acknowledge and reduce the substantial environmental impact of science.
Dr Jo Durgan, the Green Labs steering group chair, said “Babraham Institute have been working on sustainability in science for several years through the Green Impact programme. We’ve made good progress but have much still to do. This Concordat represents an important new step for us, and the sector at large, and we’re really pleased to join this collective effort alongside other signatories.”
The Concordat aims to support organisations to work with funders, partners and peers to drive long-term, systemic change, across six key areas:
The commitment aligns with the Institute’s progress to date, including consecutive SOS-UK Platinum Awards, which recognise the many actions taken to improve sustainability across all parts of Institute life, from energy, waste, water and procurement in our labs, to commuting, conference travel, food and finance in the wider workplace, nature and biodiversity on our campus, and communications and engagement with both scientific and local communities.
The Institute believes that collaboration across the research sector is essential to delivering the scale of change required to address the climate crisis. Simon Cook, Institute Director, said: “I am proud to see the Institute sign the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice. It represents the next milestone in our commitment to sustainability, as we undertake our research mission to understand human biology and improve lifelong health.”
Press contact
Honor Pollard, Communications Manager, honor.pollard@babraham.ac.uk
Image description: A view of the Babraham Institute and surrounding area.
About the Babraham Institute
The Babraham Institute undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. Our research focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The Institute is strategically funded by the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), through Institute Strategic Programme Grants and an Institute Core Capability Grant and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities.
About BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government.
BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
06 June 2025