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Our sustainability

PML has a strong commitment to reduce its own environmental impact. Environmental responsibility is one of the four pillars of our Strategy 2020-25.


Our Environmental Policy sets out our commitments, which include:

 
  • Achieve net zero carbon for PML’s activities by 2040 at the latest in line with the UKRI environmental sustainability strategy. 
  • By 2025, significantly reduce PML’s environment impact through sustainable resource use and reduction of our carbon footprint. 
  • Maintaining ISO 14001 Certification in environmental management following initial Certification in December 2022. 
  • Make our financial investments in an environmentally sustainable and ethical / socially conscious manner. 
  • Promote the efficient use of resources through the minimisation of waste, whilst encouraging recycling and re-use of materials. 
  • Increase the ecological value of our estates. 
  • Encourage and support behaviours that demonstrate a positive environmental impact. 
  • Demonstrate research impact that leads to positive environmental outcomes. 


Download the PML Group Environmental Policy


PML’s Senior Management Team sets and monitors operating objectives to help deliver these commitments, advised by our Environmental Management Team.


Actions carried out to date include: 

 
  • Installing a 134kWp solar carport over the staff car park saving PML 65 tons of CO2 per year.
  • Installing four twin electric vehicle charging points at our premises. 
  • Installing a 26.7 kWp solar photovoltaic array on our roof, generating a saving of 3.5 tons CO2 per year. 
  • Replacing our old fluorescent light fittings with efficient new LED lighting, generating an expected saving of 4.4 tons CO2 per year. 
  • A new bicycle compound and bicycle shelter were built in 2023 providing over 50 bicycle parking spaces. 
  • Moving our banking provision to an ethical bank that doesn’t finance the production or extraction of fossil fuels or other damaging impacts on the environment.
  • PML is enrolled into the LEAF framework with all laboratories at a ‘Bronze’ standard and making good progress towards ‘Silver’. 
  • Installing an energy-efficient data centre. 
  • A Greening PML feasibility study has been completed identifying key opportunities for further emissions reduction projects.  
  • Procuring Accuvio carbon management software to accurately calculate our scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and identify further areas for improvement. 
  • Using sustainably sourced materials. For example, carpet installed in the majority of offices is made from recycled plastic recovered from the ocean. 
  • Creating a five-year Biodiversity Action Plan to benefit native flora and fauna on our premises. The first actions have been implemented, including: planting a new perimeter hedgerow (about 100m) with native tree species; replanting about 200m2 of lawn as wildflower meadow with melliferous (bee-friendly) species; installing other biodiversity-boosting features – a bug hotel, hedgehog house, bird houses, bird feeders, bird baths and a compost heap – all made from upcycled materials. Employees organised ‘bioblitz’ surveys to document the biodiversity improvements. 
  • PML hosted an apiary for threatened local populations of European dark honeybee as part of a Plymouth-wide network of research apiaries organised by Pollenize between 2019 – 2024.
  • Implementing an Environmentally responsible investment policy. 

 

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Unveiling our new solar carport – saving 65 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year!

View Solar Carport Launch View Solar Energy Output
 
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A bug house, compost heap, hedgehog house and a selection of native plants have been added to the grounds to encourage biodiversity.

 
Beekeeper and hives

PML hosted a rooftop apiary on behalf of Pollenize - a local organisation encouraging rewilding to combat pollinator decline.
Image courtesy of Chris Parkes Photography ltd

 
A bicycle compund in the grounds of Plymouth Marine Laboratory

New bicycle compound built in 2023.



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Related information

 
Beekeeper and hives

Plymouth Marine Laboratory is applying the LEAF framework in efforts to improve sustainability, and we are pleased to say that all laboratories within PML are now at a ‘Bronze’ standard, making good progress to ‘Silver’.

Learn more about LEAF >

 

Plymouth Live Business awards winner icon

In November 2021, we were awarded 'Environmental Success of the Year' at the Plymouth Live Business Awards, partly for our work in reducing our environmental footprint.