Sustainable lab practices - from behavior to certification
Sustainable lab practices - from behavior to certification
27 November 2026, 10h - 11h
8 December 2026, 10h - 11h
General context
Sustainable lab practices are essential for reducing environmental impact without compromising research quality. This two-module program combines practical strategies for saving energy and consumables with behavior-change techniques and role-based responsibility. The program is linked to ongoing VIB pilot projects and will evolve into an evidence-based framework for long-term, measurable impact.
Prerequisite:
Before participating in this course, you are required to create an account with Kenniscentrum Global Health and complete the E-modules.
After this training, you will:
- Understand key strategies to reduce energy and consumable usage in research labs.
- Apply behavior-driven methods and role-based responsibilities to create sustainable practices.
- Prepare your lab for sustainability certifications such as LEAF or SPARKHub.
- Translate evidence from VIB pilot projects into practical measures that meet compliance and reproducibility standards.
This online two-module, certification-oriented program combines knowledge with hands-on application:
Module 1 (60min): Introduces practical measures for reducing energy and consumables, along with behavior-change strategies and role-based responsibilities.
Module 2 (60min follow-up session): Translates outcomes from VIB pilot projects into updated lab guidance, SOP recommendations, and certification-ready evidence.
The training uses real examples and KPIs to ensure measurable impact and long-term adoption of sustainable lab practices. Participants leave with actionable steps for immediate implementation and a clear pathway to certification.
Lab managers, staff scientists, postdocs, PhD students and lab technicians.
Trainers
Wouter De Broeck
Wouter De Broeck is Senior Sustainability Manager at VIB where he coordinates the institute’s transition toward more sustainable operations, including carbon accounting, sustainability reporting, sustainable procurement, greener laboratory practices and sustainable lab practices certification (LEAF). With a background in journalism on renewable energy and environmental issues, he combines communication, systems thinking, and environmental management to embed sustainability into daily research practice.