Dedicated to advancing sustainable laboratories globally.
January 29, 2026
Education Month International Partner Updates
2026 Sustainable Lab Priorities in Canada, the UK, and Europe
10:00-11:00 am ET
Gain an understanding of the sustainable lab organizations in Canada, the UK, and Europe and what their priorities are for research, education and certification in 2026. Speakers will preview Education Month talks and case studies from their respective countries.
I2SL Program Updates
12:00-1:30 pm ET
Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar, University of Colorado Boulder
Hear from I2SL’s President and Vice President about 2026 priorities, including training and updates for the Labs2Zero program and plans to develop an International Fume Hood Challenge. Learn how to get involved in the challenge, as well as the I2SL University Alliance Group, Lab Materials Management Working Group, and Circular Economy for Labs Community of Practice. You’ll also get a preview of upcoming talks on lab decarbonization, award-winning sustainable lab design, international research funding sustainability goals, and assessments on the impacts of scientific products and processes.
February 5, 2026
Using BIM, Digital Twins, and AI for Lab Design, Modeling, and Performance
10:00-11:30 am ET
Lab design is evolving, and so are the tools to ensure sustainable and energy-efficient labs. Hear about the I2SL award-winning PetroChina Shanghai Research Institute Technology R&D Center, which reduced carbon emissions using building information modeling (BIM) to create energy-efficiency mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design and reduce construction waste. You’ll also learn the foundations of BIM-driven lab design, AI integration, and a path to using digital twins in lab development.
Best Practices for Improving Energy Performance in Lab Systems and Equipment
1:00-3:00 pm ET
Patrick Kelly, Thrive Buildings
Mario Don Porto Carero, Johnson & Johnson (Portugal)
Whether you’re a facility manager, engineer, designer, or consultant, you can benefit from these approaches for specifying equipment, optimizing lab HVAC systems, and engaging researchers to improve the energy performance of your lab. Get a primer on system optimization to address “operational drift” that could be wasting energy in labs. Learn how to select and design biosafety cabinets to save energy, as well as how human behavior can impact efficiency. You’ll also hear about how the University of Chicago monitored fume hood sash position for a successful shut-the-sash program, optimized energy wheel operation, and maintained efficient run-around heat recovery loops.
February 12, 2026
Sustainable Action by UK and European Research Funders
11:00-1:00 pm ET
Jo Allatt, UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
Anne Marie de Beaufort, Dutch Research Council
Ina Matt, Austrian Science Foundation
Promoting sustainable research best practices and operations starts with the funding itself. Forward-thinking grantmaking organizations in Europe and the UK will share efforts underway to spur innovation and emphasize environmental sustainability in how research is conducted, and, in some cases, require action in connection with grant funding. Learn about the UK Concordat for Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice, signed by over 80 UK organizations; efforts of the Science Europe Greening Research Working Group; requirements in the grant application process by funding bodies such as Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the Austrian Science Foundation; and a new sustainable science tool spearheaded by UKRI.
Gauging the Impact of Scientific Products and Processes
1:30-3:15 pm ET
Calculating the environmental and social impact of research can be complicated; part of the difficulty is obtaining life cycle assessments (LCA) for products and processes in the lab. You’ll hear from experts on process LCAs and plastics LCAs, including the limiting factors in conducting these assessments. This session will also tackle concerns with corporate sustainability claims and greenwashing on lab supplies…and how to clear through the confusion!
February 19, 2026
Accessible and Human-Centric Labs: User and Designer Perspectives
10:00-11:30 am ET
Andrea Haenlin-Mott, Cornell University
Christopher Jahn, CannonDesign
Accessibility Standards Canada (speaker TBD)
Hear first-hand experience on how designing and using inclusive, accessible labs will result in high-performing and functional research spaces for students, researchers, and faculty in university facilities. Speakers will address common misconceptions, provide real-world case studies, and suggest thoughtful, practical design solutions that integrate accessibility. You’ll also learned about the development of inclusive accessibility research and standards in Canada being led by individuals with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups.
Innovative Design Breathes New Life Into Vancouver Bio Innovation Building
1:00-2:30 pm ET
Dominic Vachon, Admare Bio Innovations
Russell Chernoff, Chernoff Thompson Architects
Led by Admare Bioinnovation in Vancouver, British Columbia, this project incorporated sustainable lab design and supports the government’s goals to develop life science facilities across Canada. Learn how an office space can become laboratory in a market without leasable lab space, and understand how collaboration among the client, design team, and contractor supported a flexible project. You’ll hear about the lessons learned from turning an existing building designed for office space into a lab for bio innovation.
February 26, 2026
Award-Winning Decarbonization Strategies Part 1: Heat Recovery
10:00-11:30 am ET
Whether designing new facilities or repurposing old ones, I2SL members look for ways to minimize energy requirements, use renewables, and embrace technologies to reduce their carbon footprint. Hear from the 2025 Sustainable Lab Award winners who made decarbonization a priority, including a deep dive on some of their heat recovery projects.
Award-Winning Decarbonization Strategies Part 2: Existing and New Construction
1:30-3:00 pm ET
Decarbonization can be undertaken at existing facilities or in new construction; I2SL recognizes sustainable lab projects, people, and organizations who demonstrate their commitment to reducing carbon in new buildings and within their existing operations. Learn firsthand from award winners the options for reducing labs’ energy and carbon footprint, including some words of inspiration from the 2025 Phil Wirdzek Leadership Award winner, Punit Jain!