The Natural Step (TNS) Framework was developed by Karl-Henrik Robčrt, M.D., Ph.D., one of Sweden's leading cancer scientists. TNS uses a simple model called “the Funnel”, which depicts declining resources plunging toward increasing consumption. The Natural Step also provides four quantifiable “system conditions” of a sustainable society which UCSB incorporated into our Campus Sustainability Plan.
LABS21 is a professional organization of engineers, architects, project and energy managers that have drafted design criteria for high performance, high efficiency laboratory buildings.
Harvard Green Campus Initiative
Harvard Green Campus Initiative recently started a new laboratory focused energy peer-to peer conservation program funded by The Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment
This website is thorough in its support of hospital sustainability issues, though its focus on mercury and “red bag” wastes are marginally useful to campus settings. It is inspiring that there is a best practices office for hospitals since they are buildings under tremendous cost and quality constraints.
Stanford University Energy and Water Conservation Program
Stanford has been very successful with its incentive programs for turning in aging, high energy use equipment. The project has had major impacts on energy efficiency through targeted campaigns to address key energy drains.
Stanford University’s Cheat Sheet to Laboratory Energy Conservation. PDF
Check out this handout on sustainable practices for refrigeration, fume hoods, laboratory operations, and purchasing decisions!
MIT’s Green Chemistry Initiative
MIT has idenitfied key chemicals to focus on, developed a green chemical purchasing wizard and an excellent resource list. Also check out The MIT Environmental Programs Task Force (link to: )
