Plymouth Marine Laboratory’s Sustainability Journey

Article produced with thanks to Caroline Blackler

For more than fifty years scientists at the world-famous Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) have been leading the way in supporting a healthy sustainable ocean. Their research – which today focuses on climate change, marine biodiversity and marine pollution – helps to support local, national and global policy, action and innovation. The commitment and consideration that PML staff have for the ocean extends, not surprisingly, to the entire planet, hence, the charity is on a mission to be carbon neutral by 2040.

Since 2019 PML has been busy putting ‘its own house in order’. It has, among other things, dramatically reduced its energy use; encouraged behaviour change among the 150 staff; switched to (more) ethical & sustainable providers and increased biodiversity at its historic West Hoe site. It has identified areas for improvement, implemented change and been innovative with significant results: in just a few years PML has saved 150 tonnes of CO2 and received several regional (business and environmental) awards in the process. Lee Merchant, PML’s Head of Estates and Facilities, believes they have a moral requirement to do so:

“Nobody works at PML without thinking about what we do,” says Lee. “It’s not just the scientists, but everyone who works here, and it’s more than just a job: it’s understanding that what we’re doing is of a greater benefit to society and that it’s all part of our mission, delivering the research, to benefit our oceans and our world.”

And that is what is pushing PML to achieve the ambitious target of net zero in fifteen years’ time:

“We want to be a leader in everything we do, not just in the science, but in how we function as an organisation. And I feel that, with what we’ve done so far, not just in carbon management but in sustainability as well, that we are punching above our weight.”

So, what has PML done:

Renewable Energy:

In 2021, installed solar panels on its main building and lecture theatre generating savings of 3.5tonnes CO₂ per year.

In 2023, installed solar carport generating savings of 65 tonnes CO2 per year.

Combined saving of nearly 70 tonnes of CO₂ a year and supplying 17% of PML’s annual electricity.

Accumulated enough solar energy since 2021 to power 118 houses for a year.

Have replaced more than 300 old fluorescent lights with LEDs, saving 4.4 tonnes of CO₂ a year.

Helping to Decarbonise Travel

Built a new bicycle compound for more than 50 bikes.

Installed eight EV charging points providing all members of staff with free electricity to their cars.

“It’s definitely encouraged people’s habits to change,” says Lee. “We used to have one member of staff with an EV (electric vehicle) now we have 12. And in the summer, nearly all the cycling racks are full. More people are now cycling and travelling to work more-sustainably.”

Biodiversity

PML’s five-year Biodiversity Action Plan has nurtured:

• the planting of a native tree hedgerow around the perimeter (100m) of the site
• the grass area – 200m² – has been replanted as a (bee-friendly) wildflower meadows
• the installation of upcycled houses & hotels for hedgehogs; birds and bugs
• a bi-annual ‘bioblitz’ survey carried out by PML employees and Plymouth Environmental Action (PEA) which consistently shows an increase to the site’s flora & fauna.
• the bi-annual clearing out of the PML pond (with PEA volunteers) which, at the last count, was home to more than 100 (Smooth) newts.

Ethical/Sustainable Choices

• Banking: switched its account to the Co-operative Bank.
• Ensures investments are environmentally responsible.
• Implements a Sustainable Procurement Policy. For example, PML has laid new carpets throughout the building made from recycled ocean plastic (Interface Net Effect carpet tiles).
• works with funders and suppliers that share PML’s ethical values and approach to environmental responsibility.

Improving the labs: implementing the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF).

Laboratories around the world are responsible for approx. 2% of global plastic waste and can use as much as 10x the energy of the average office.

In 2022 PML signed up to LEAF. By reducing its use of plastics, water, energy and other resources all the charity’s 40 laboratories have since achieved Bronze certification with many now close to attaining the Silver mark.

Examples of efficiencies:

• increasing the temperature of the scientific freezers from -80°C to -70°C
• reviewing whether samples need to be in cold-storage at all
• creating a ‘shared area’ laboratory and encouraging staff to share (particularly chemicals), reuse and recycle consumables, such as, pipette tips; lab gloves, beakers and Winchester glass wear.
• All PML facilities are certified against ISO14001: Environmental Management Systems

PML Wins Regional Chamber Business Award for Green Innovation