(SBL) - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
As we kick off Earth Month this April, discover ways to make conservation a daily habit. Visit the Lab’s Earth Day website to explore actions you can take to ensure every day is Earth Day, such as:
A large number of birds migrate at night in the spring (March 1–June 15) and fall (August 15–November 30). Turning off non-essential, exterior-facing lights at home and when you leave your workspace can help reduce bird injuries and fatalities from window collisions. This simple action makes a big difference for birds, and can save energy and money as well. Check out the Lights Out initiative and how you can help.
Each year, Berkeley Lab reports on its sustainability performance toward federal, state, and University of California Sustainability Targets. The Lab also has two sustainability policies for construction and operations, which includes energy and water management.
How can you help? Put organic matter (such as food waste and food-soiled paper products) in the green compost bin! See Your Role for more ways you can support the Lab’s progress toward sustainability goals.
Performance Highlights from FY 2025 –
Key sustainability strategies include –
Learn more:
Demand for data centers continues to increase, driven in part by the growth of AI. Berkeley Lab researchers continue to play a key role in their optimization. Instead of refrigerant systems, the Lab’s National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) keeps its supercomputers cool with an efficient combination of ambient air and liquid cooling.
A two-year efficiency effort at NERSC, in collaboration with other Berkeley Lab researchers and Sustainable Berkeley Lab, reduced non-IT power consumption (power that supports computing) by 42%, resulting in annual savings of —
Read the full article: How Researchers Are Driving Advances for Data Centers
The Biological and Environmental Program Integration Center (BioEPIC), the Lab’s newest building, has earned LEED Gold certification and is the Lab’s eighth LEED building. Achieved through a six-year collaboration by Facilities, PIMD, Sustainable Berkeley Lab, consultants, and contractors, the recognition underscores BioEPIC’s sustainable design features, including:
The building has also received an Award of Merit for Excellence in Sustainability from Engineering News-Record.
Learn More:
This July, join a global movement focused on reducing the waste and pollution generated by single-use plastics, aptly named Plastic Free July.
To learn more, check out these resources:
Check out the Lab’s Earth Day website to learn how you can make every day Earth Day…
Sustainability is everyone’s job!
Check out:
Performance highlights include:
Learn More:
Berkeley Lab has received seventeen sustainability awards since 2019. In the past year–
See a list of all of the Lab’s sustainability awards.
Staff commutes and air travel account for ~25% of Berkeley Lab’s total reported greenhouse gas emissions.
Check out what you can do to reduce your emissions from commuting and travel, including:
July is Plastic Free Month, a time to rethink and reduce plastic waste. Here are some tips to try!
Visit the Lab’s Plastic-Free Website to learn more
Check out the Lab’s Earth Day website to find local in-person, volunteer, and virtual events, plus tips for sustainable lifestyle changes.
Planning your backyard or container garden? Consider California natives! They’re climate-suitable, drought-tolerant, and pollinator-supporting. Learn more at this year’s Bringing Back the Natives virtual and in-person garden tours.
Berkeley Lab recently updated its policy on Sustainability in Operations, which:
The Lab also released its annual summary of sustainability performance and progress towards net-zero carbon emissions. Of note, as of the end of fiscal year 2023:
Learn More:
Berkeley Lab has been re-certified to ISO 50001, an international standard the Lab follows for managing its energy and water, and a key factor in the Lab’s strong sustainability performance.
Learn more about the Lab’s ISO 50001 Program
Learn more about the Lab’s Sustainability Performance
Take the Plastic-Free Challenge this July and avoid disposable plastics:
Check out these resources:
Visit the Waste Guide and learn what waste goes where. Search for utensils and get a free Reusable Cutlery Set!
Submit Your Reuse Ideas! Need some inspiration? Check out these tips from Berkeley Lab colleagues.
Learn more on the Lab’s Plastic Free Website
Berkeley Lab has developed a vision and roadmap for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations, which–
The Lab Community is invited to the Net-Zero Vision and Roadmap, and feedback is encouraged through a link on the title page.
Every day is Earth Day at the Lab! But April is a special time to focus on our planet.
Check out the Lab’s Earth Day website to —
Berkeley Lab has a wide range of Federal, State, and University of California sustainability targets, and the Lab’s commitment to energy and water efficiency is formalized in a sustainability policy. Highlights of the Lab’s sustainability progress include (as of the end of FY 2022):
Learn More:
* at NERSC, ALS, B88, and the B50A/50B computing centers
Incorporate some of these tips for a more sustainable holiday season
It’s National Drive Electric Week!
Whether you’re packing lunch to come to the Lab, going on a picnic, or getting takeout, consider these Sustainable Lunch Tips to avoid waste:
Plastic Free July is a global movement to avoid single-used plastics.
Visit the Lab’s Plastic-Free Website to learn how you can be a part of it, such as:
Earth Day is every day, but it’s commemorated on April 22nd. Check out the website earthday.lbl.gov for a compilation of interesting things to learn and do in April and beyond.
Some highlights:
While rain comes and goes, California’s climate trends steadily toward drought
What to do?
What is the Lab doing?
Help advance the Lab’s climate goals by joining the Net-Zero Lab Visioning Team!
All are welcome! As part of the team, you will —
APPLY by Friday, 3/11/22. Members will be selected to maximize diversity of viewpoints and skills.
Learn More in this brief video
Federal Sustainability Executive Order 14057 (December 2021) set a firm path for decarbonizing federal sites by 2045, with many significant interim milestones. Highlights include:
Learn more in this Summary
Berkeley Lab received a 2021 Energy Management Insight Award from the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), a high-level global forum that promotes policies and programs to advance clean energy.
The award recognizes the Lab’s Energy and Water Management System (EWMS), which is certified to the global ISO 50001 standard, and is described in a case study that highlights insights, benefits, and accomplishments of the Lab’s program.
Since the Lab’s EWMS program began 5.5 years ago, the Lab has improved the energy efficiency of its operations by 26%, saved $2.17M in utility costs, and avoided 4,400 metric tons of GHG.
View the Award-Winning Case Study (pdf)
Learn more about the Lab’s EWMS / ISO 50001 Program
The Lab reports annually on sustainability performance to the Department of Energy (DOE) and University of California (UC). Highlights below.
Learn More:
Even with this fall’s heavy rainfall, most of California remains in Extreme or Exceptional Drought. California reservoirs are at about half of historic levels for this time of year due to severe drought conditions that have become commonplace in California:
You can access data from the Lab weather station, US Drought Monitor, as well as California rainfall, reservoir, and snow-pack data, on the SBL Water Page under Resources.
What can you do?
During the last major drought, the Lab saw a significant decrease in water use that was attributable to individual conservation. Here are some ways you can Waste Less Water, at home and at work:
What is the Lab doing?
The UC Retirement Savings Program has a new investment option: the UC Global Equity ex Fossil Fuel Fund. Its objective is to invest in domestic and international companies that do not own fossil fuel reserves or sell tobacco products. Add it to your fund lineup for a socially responsible investment.
The Lab is transitioning from gas to electric landscaping equipment, which is better for the environment, the landscaping crew, and you!
Benefits:
What’s the plan?
If you maintain a yard at home, you can switch too!
California Clean Air Day is October 6th.
We all have a role in clearing the air! One of the best things you can do is trade your gas vehicle in for an electric vehicle. It’s easier than you think.
What the Lab is doing for cleaner air:
What you can do:
More about California Clean Air Day
More about the Lab’s Climate Goals and Your Role
National Drive Electric Week starts on September 25th and is a great opportunity to learn more about electric vehicles (EVs).
Why you should drive an Electric Vehicle (EV) – (if you don’t already)!
In August 2021 (virtually, again), the Lab was presented two sustainability awards by the Department of Energy (DOE):
The Lab’s ongoing building commissioning (OCx) team received a Strategic Partnerships Award for its collaboration between Sustainability Berkeley Lab and Facilities to save energy and water in buildings. The OCx program:
The Lab’s ISO 50001 (Energy & Water Management) Team received an Innovative Approach to Sustainability Award for its “best in class” program for managing energy and water across all of the Lab’s facilities and activities.
Both programs work in harmony to deliver substantial energy, water, and cost savings for the Lab (see graphs).
See all of the Lab’ Sustainability Awards.
2020 highlighted the importance of health, equity, and climate. The world got a crash course in remote connectivity as work, school, meetings, and conferences transitioned online. “Virtual everything” kept us safer, and also reduced our climate footprint. We can maintain these benefits if we move thoughtfully into the future of work.
Do you need that plane trip?
Instead of air travel, consider these alternatives:
Why does it make a difference?
Learn more about the impact of travel modes in this Union of Concerned Scientists Report
Plastic Free July is a global movement to avoid plastic waste. Learn more on the Lab’s Plastic-Free Website! A few highlights include:
One of Berkeley Lab’s key sustainability goals is to divert at least 90% of solid waste material from the landfill through recycling and composting.
In 2020, the Lab diverted 74% of solid waste. To achieve 90%, every member of the Berkeley Lab community must do their part. Custodians have been working hard throughout the pandemic to keep everyone safe; as a result, personal waste bin collection has been suspended and onsite staff need to empty their own waste bins.
The good news is, Lab waste audits show that when people sort at waste stations, waste diversion increases from 15% to 68%! As an added benefit, trips to the waste station make great ergo breaks.
Learn how the staff from IGB gave up their waste bins altogether in an effort to become the Lab’s first Zero Waste building.
To help reduce total waste, bring your own reusable food containers, cutlery, beverage containers.
Earth Month reminds us to conserve water and energy, recycle, and take care of our home planet and all of its inhabitants.
Find out ways you can celebrate and participate on the Earth Day Website.
Berkeley Lab’s energy and water management program was recently highlighted in several Department of Energy publications. A cross-functional team oversees the program, helping to ensure the Lab’s energy and water management activities are strategic, effective, and persistent.
View the articles:
Despite recent heavy precipitation in California, the majority of the state is still in drought. We’re still on track for one of driest years on record. Check out our water page for some interesting links, including:
Learn water conservation and other sustainability tips.
The UC Sustainability Report for FY20 is now available, in a new online format. Check out some key components of the report:
Sustainability reports for UC and Berkeley Lab are available on the reports page.
The FY 2020 report on the Lab’s sustainability performance is available in this Summary. See highlights below.
Current and planned sustainability activities at the Lab are covered in a new draft Plan for a Sustainable Berkeley Lab. Feedback on the Plan is welcome via this form.
Highlights for FY 2020 include four Sustainability Awards, and improvements over FY19 in nearly every category.
The Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) has achieved LEED Gold, and is the Lab’s seventh building to earn LEED certification for sustainable building design. Key sustainability highlights of IGB include:
Researchers from the Energy Technologies Area, in collaboration with the Lab’s Chief Sustainability Officer John Elliott, released a report on Improving Energy System Resilience at Berkeley Lab and Beyond. The report provides recommendations for resilience planning at the Lab, such as:
California is a drought-prone state with sparse rainfall from mid-spring to mid-fall. Compounding last winter’s below-average precipitation in Northern California, NOAA has forecast a La Niña event and continued drought conditions.
Lab Efforts to Date
How You Can Help
Individual actions add up. B90 water use is down 44%, partly through conservation.
Water Conservation at home
The Lab became officially certified to ISO 50001 in September, 2020, after a multi-year effort to strengthen its energy and water management practices.
Empty Your Personal Waste Bin
Due to COVID, custodians are no longer emptying personal waste bins at the Lab Hill site. This promotes your safety and theirs by:
Please sort your trash at central waste stations per the guidance at wasteguide.lbl.gov, and do your part to support the Lab’s waste diversion goals.
More about Lab Services During COVID >
Get a Free Reusable Cutlery Set
How can you do away with frustrating disposable utensils and reduce waste? Get a free stainless cutlery set. Much studier than disposable utensils, this set comes in a handy zippered pouch. One set per person, it will be sent to your mailstop. Request yours here.
The University of California has enacted a policy to phase out single-use plastics across all of its campuses.
Learn more about the policy.
Takeaways from an article by MIT staff member, Kim Schive, on safety of reusables in the time of COVID-19:
Bring back your reusable mugs, bags, and containers!
As we continue to practice good personal hygiene, it’s important to differentiate between what is effective and backed by scientific facts, and what some people call “Hygiene Theater” – actions that make us feel safer, but don’t actually reduce risk.
More Tips on Reuse and Avoiding Plastics
The Zero Waste Team at Berkeley Lab’s Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) has been working hard to improve sustainability, including reducing the amount of waste produced by their labs.
On August 20th, the Lab was recognized (virtually) by the Department of Energy (DOE) in three sustainability topics:
See more Sustainability Awards.
Food scraps can either be landfilled and contribute to climate change, or be composted into valuable soil for your home garden. Learn how to put them to good use with these resources:
Those who took the Waste Quiz during Earth Month (April) scored an average of 80%!
Berkeley Lab’s Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) received the UC’s highest recognition for sustainability in new construction, a Best Practice Award for Overall Sustainable Design.
Everyone plays a role in helping the Lab meet its sustainability goals for Energy / Climate, Waste, and Water, which are set by Federal, State, and UC policy, and reinforced in the Lab’s policy on Sustainable Operations.
What is Your Role?
How is the Lab Doing?
Yes, you can reduce single-use (disposable) plastic – even now!
Check out the Lab’s Plastic Free July Website! Highlights include:
* BYO = Bring Your Own… coffee mug, water bottle, cutlery, shopping bag (not just for groceries – pharmacy, clothing stores, hardware, take-out, anywhere!)
Sheltering in place has encouraged many of us to spend more time at home with our nourishing yards, gardens, and plants, and composting is a great tool to help us do that!
Anyone can home compost, even in a small apartment. Learn the basics and benefits, and why it’s so important for everyone to compost food waste.
Learn more with these Compost & Gardening Resources
The June 8th webinar will cover —
Take the new Waste Quiz and test your Waste IQ! See Results.
2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day!
And Earth Month is going Virtual this year!
Big advancements in efficient computing are happening as a result of cross-Lab collaboration including SBL, the National Energy Scientific Research Computing Center (NERSC), and the Energy Technologies Area (ETA) and its decades of research and expertise.
The Lab established a new Policy for Sustainable Operations. Topics include Individual and Lab responsibilities relative to —
The Lab has completed its Annual Sustainability Report for FY 2019. For more details, see —
Key highlights —
On behalf of the Better Buildings Smart Lab Accelerator, the Department of Energy selected Berkeley Lab to receive an “Accelerating Smart Labs” Project Award. The award recognizes the Lab’s innovative approach to improving its building operations through an ongoing commissioning (OCx) process.
A partnership between SBL and Facilities, the Lab’s high-performing OCx team has refined a highly efficient and rigorous process for identifying and correcting energy and water waste in buildings, and ensuring those corrections stick.
The award was presented at the annual International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) Conference in October.
See the Lab’s efficiency savings since 2015.
November 15th is America Recycles Day.
The draft Sustainable Standards for Operations policy, to be published in the Lab’s Requirements & Policies Manual (RPM), was shared with a wide Lab audience through emails, stakeholder meetings, Elements, and the SBL website. See the resulting changes in the following documents —
We appreciate the time everyone took to participate in the process and provide thoughtful feedback, which helped strengthen and improve the policy. See prior post for more about the Policy
The Lab was chosen for two 2019 Department of Energy Sustainability Awards
1) Pat Thorson, who retired from the Lab earlier this year, received a Lifetime Achievement Award as a Sustainable Champion. Pat’s hard work, commitment, and dedication to sustainability spanned his 28-year Lab career. He led the Lab’s Environmental Management System and meteorological monitoring, initiated the Lab’s waste diversion program, and was instrumental in a wide range of sustainability initiatives including air quality, wastewater treatment, electronics recycling, and commute surveys. He led by example in many ways, including being one of the Lab’s first e-bike commuters.
2) The Lab’s Policy on Sustainability Standards for New Construction was selected for the Outstanding Sustainability Project category. Learn more
The awards were presented at the DOE Energy Exchange Conference in August.
SBL invites Lab Community feedback on the Draft Sustainability Standards for Operations, targeting publication in October, 2019. Topics are listed below. Submit your comments by Friday, 9/13/19.
Energy and Water
Zero Waste and Waste Reduction
Green Cleaning & Pest Control
Join SBL on Tues, July 30th at 12pm in Pers Hall (54-130) to discuss:
Plastic Free Profile: JULIA |
|
How do you reduce your plastic use?
Why Reduce Plastics? Focusing on my plastic consumption is something I try to do every day by practicing conscious consumerism and being mindful of what I really need. While plastic pollution is only a puzzle piece in our current climate crisis, it’s important to focus on because everyone has the opportunity to make a difference by adjusting their daily routine. Your individual actions can go a long way, especially when you talk about your decisions and changes you’ve made with the people you know. |
Zero Waste Intern Julia Sherman tabling at the Cafeteria during Plastic Free July. Employees made Plastic Free commitments on sticky notes. |
While finding energy waste in buildings is easy, the challenge lies in understanding and correcting underlying problems, and ensuring they stay corrected. In July, the Lab received a Best Practice Award at the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference for its pioneering approach to improving how buildings operate. The Lab’s ongoing building commissioning team uses SkySpark, a sophisticated data visualization tool, as part of their innovative and highly effective process to continually identify, measure, prioritize, and address building problems, as well as monitor and maintain corrections and energy savings.
Pictured: Deirdre Carter, Chris Weyandt, Raphael Vitti (kW Engineering), John Elliott
SBL encourages you to join millions of people and take the Plastic Free July Challenge to reduce single-use plastic waste.
Ways to Participate (also on SBL calendar):
About the Plastic Free July Challenge
Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. Visit Plastic Free July for resources and ideas for reducing single-use plastic waste in July and everyday, and Choose Your Challenge:
The Lab has ambitious goals to —
To help meet these goals, SBL has been collecting waste data since 2016 to identify opportunities for improvement. Over 100 audits have been conducted, an average three for each main building.
View the Waste Audit Data to see where your building ranks (select building from the drop down menu on the upper right hand side of the page).
The Lab has updated its Sustainability Standards for New Construction (SSNC). The SSNC were first published in the Lab’s online Requirements & Procedures Manual (RPM) in 2013. The standards have guided the sustainable design of the Lab’s new Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) and current early design efforts for future construction.
Key elements of the SSNC include:
Check out what you might have missed from the Lab’s April Earth Month celebration…
Sustainability @ Home Brown Bag
Experts from the Energy Technologies Area and Sustainable Berkeley Lab shared their knowledge about responsible consumption, a culture of repair, very local food, and reducing energy and water footprint.
Presentation | Recording (Quicktime)
Green Transportation Brown Bag
A presentation on what the Lab has done to improve transportation, and a discussion of thoughts, ideas, and concerns about transportation solutions.
Presentation
Safety Sustainability, and Security Fair
A huge number of people visited the SBL booth at the Fair, and learned about helping the Lab meet its Zero Waste Goals by knowing how to sort. Learn more at WasteGuide.lbl.gov.
eBike Meetup
A gathering of folks who commute via eBike, and those interested. Learn more about eBikes
This April, the Earth Month Theme is Sustainable Lifestyles. You have many ways to participate!
Nearly half the employees at JGI gave up their under-desk trash cans in March, in support of better separation of waste at centralized stations, and the Lab’s Zero Waste goals. Over 100 bins were collected and will be recycled.
All Lab buildings have central waste stations. Learn how you can contribute by properly diverting your waste — visit the Waste Guide.
Want to take the next step and get rid of your under-desk trash can?
Bring your own mug or cup to the Peet’s stand at the cafeteria, and save 25 cents on your drink. Learn more about other ways to contribute to sustainability.
San Franciso is diverting more than 80% of its waste. A number of other cities across the world are too, including a small Japanese city who consulted a Berkeley local to help. Read the New York Times Article.
UC / Lab employees are eligible for incentives on Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrids.
Check out this National Geographic article on easy ways you and your family can use less plastic this year, including fun alternatives, using durable goods instead of disposable, and reuse ideas. Learn why too much plastic is fast becoming a huge problem.
The Lab has completed its Annual Sustainability Report for FY 2018, and plans for FY 2019. One significant achievement is maintained, annualized energy savings totaling 6.7 million kWh since 2015. See graph.
Additional highlights —
For more details, see —
Working in collaboration with SBL, Facilities upgraded lighting in the two garages under Building 50, resulting in:
1) Better, brighter, and more well-distributed lighting
The existing lighting was recessed in low ceilings, and even at 200 watts, the high-pressure sodium fixtures gave off a dim, uneven, and unsettling orange glow. The new LED lighting has significantly improved atmosphere and visibility in the garages.
2) Energy reduction of 95% (54,700 -> 2,500 kWh/year)
The new lights are 33-watt LEDs with motion sensors, and were installed just below ceiling level, providing better lighting while meeting clearance requirements. The fixtures were adjusted to an appropriate light level, per industry best practice, further conserving energy. Finally, each fixture dims even further until it senses motion nearby, providing additional savings.
See the technical report >
Learn more about lighting projects >
LED bulbs can save you money too, especially if you’re swapping out incandescents. LEDs last much longer, use far less energy, produce high-quality light, and are available in a full range of colors, shapes, and styles. As a Berkeley Lab / UC employee or alum, you can get a discount on high-quality LEDs. See article below for more information.
B50 Garages Before & After
Wasting food hurts your wallet. It also hurts the environment, from the wasted energy, water, and other resources required to produce it, and increased greenhouse gas emissions when it reaches the landfill. Composting is important, but avoiding wasted food is even better. Save money and avoid food waste this Thanksgiving, and year round.
Part of the Million Lamp Challenge, UC employees, retirees, students, and alumni can now save big on purchasing high-quality LED lights for the home. Please see the details for more.
Celebrate Plastic Free July and help the Lab meet its Zero Waste Goals by avoiding single-use plastics (such as take-out containers). Learn more ways to ditch plastics, and check out the Waste Guide to learn the right place for all kinds of waste.
Learn about Food Waste in The Compost Story Video
Check out videos, slides, and other resources from the Lab’s April Earth Month celebration! More >
April is Earth Month – What’s Happening?
Download the Earth Month Flyer (pdf), subscribe to the Sustainable Berkeley Lab calendar, or click on an event title below to learn more.
Participate in the DOE Earth Month Photo Contest by 4/6 More >
Packaging, including for takeout food, is a huge part of the waste stream! Check out the UC Climate Lab video to learn about reducing packaging and take-out trash.
Check out the Lab’s Site Sustainability Plan (SSP), which details the Lab’s sustainability performance in FY17, as well as plans for FY18.
Highlights:
From Aerosol Cans to Ziploc Bags – check out the waste guide (wasteguide.lbl.gov) and learn the right place for your waste. You can also find it on Lab’s A-Z and the SBL waste page.
With help from Sustainable Berkeley Lab and a sophisticated monitoring system, JGI is saving significant energy while providing a more reliable freezer storage system for research samples. Their efforts were recognized in the North American Freezer Challenge. Learn more
While supplies last, UC employees are eligible for a steep discount on a Nissan Leaf through December, and a small discount on Ford electric vehicles through October. For more information on employee offers for electric vehicles and renewable energy, view this list.
Check out the Lab’s Sustainability Update to UC on this year’s accomplishments in Climate, Waste, and Water including:
Check out what you might have missed from the Lab’s April Earth Month celebration, including
UC presents Climate Lab, a six-part video series on climate change, featuring UCLA visiting researcher M. Sanjayan, and researchers and experts from the UC community.
The videos explore surprising ways to change how we think and act about climate change, including lifestyle choices and groundbreaking work on mitigation.
UC campuses are leading cutting edge research on climate impacts, and the UC system has an ongoing commitment to achieve carbon neutrality in operations by 2025.
Shyh Wang Hall (B59) is the Lab’s sixth building to earn LEED certification, and has achieved LEED Gold. The Lab has one LEED Platinum and five LEED Gold certifications. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a prominent green building certification that rates a building’s sustainability aspects, including indoor environmental quality and the efficient use of water, energy, and materials.